A ‘Mitey’ Big Present
The Return of “Giving
it Your All”
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Augusta, GA
By Al Gray
This writer’s
favorite painting is “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” an 1851 work by Emanuel
Gottlieb Leutze. Yes, historians and assorted wags sniff that it is not
historically accurate, because the famous river crossing happened in the night,
but the art of it is that it conveys the sheer power of pain and sacrifice that
gave rise to our wonderful nation. It also sets one to pondering about the
future and whether we the people of America in this year of 2012 remotely have
the dedication to give it all to God or country.
Focus on the
men manning the paddles and oars in the boat, not the general or the officers.
These brave lads came from a populace divided on even whether the Revolution
was a good idea, much as our folks are divided today on government. They were
not likely to win fame or fortune, yet there they were, giving the liberty
movement their very lives. That same winter it was said Washington’s army could
be tracked by the bloody footprints these patriot warriors left in the snow.
They gave it all.
Jesus gave
it all. He expects us to do that too. He watches from Heaven in observation of
our actions, much as he sat one day observing
people paying the Treasury.
41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing
how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich
people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow
came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling
His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor
widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for
they all put in out of their [e]surplus, but she, out of her poverty,
put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
The sequencing
of this story is curious as it is immediately before an accounting of the last
days found in Mark 13, especially verses 9 through 13.
9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts,
and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will
stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 The
gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 When
they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you
are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who
speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother
will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You
will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he
will be saved.
Religion and
politics are the realms where men and women of faith in God and country have
been making the ultimate sacrifice since the days of Genesis. The widow didn’t
know where her next meal was coming from. She might have been facing starvation.
She certainly increased her deprivation in contributing her last cent. The
patriots in Washington’s boat suffered starvation, freezing temperatures,
frostbite, and isolation from home and loved ones. They risked death in camp,
in battle, and as traitors had they lost.
Today in
this America people are fat, contented, and lazy. Few are the patriots. Few are
those who give up everything to follow Jesus. City and suburban life foists
neighborhoods where no one knows their neighbors, because very few feel a sense
of community or a compelling reason to be part of a community. This writer has
had the good fortune to migrate to country life. Here things are much
different. Folks in this relatively poor county pitch in to help their
neighbors. It isn’t all that uncommon to get the feeling that they will give
you the clothes off of their back. People still GIVE without any expectation of
anything received in return. The contrast between living and working in
Chicago, Winston-Salem, or Savannah is quite amazing. One sees HOPE in rural
America that our people still have it within themselves to sacrifice for the
greater good.
When times
become tough, faith and the willingness to sacrifice it all may be all a man or
woman has left. Everyone doing it will keep society from something very dark
indeed. One day, in which we all will rejoice, I believe everybody in the land
will see this as a necessity for life itself.
Try not to
count on the end times or predict them. Practice sacrifice for others. It is a ‘mitey’
fine thing.
Remember
Washington’s frozen troops. They were not standing tall in the boat. They were
throwing body and soul into the oars. The widow gave her last mite. Will you do the same?***
AG
AG
***Do you have a story idea, a tip, or would you like to write for City Stink? Then please contact us at: citystink@gmail.com***
Share this on Facebook by clicking the icon below
