
Of the many convincing statements contained in his letter to Congress, it is the closing of the address that
I find the most moving, if not prophetic, "The struggle of today is not altogether for today; but it is for a vast future also. With a reliance on Providence all the more firm and earnest, let us proceed in the great task which events have devolved upon us." Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln perceived better than most, that the issues to be resolved, either by victory or defeat, would change the course of history in America. Which it did.
He saw it as a President's responsibility and Congresses obligation to posterity, to make the hard decisions now, and not conveniently pass them off to some future generation. It was for them, now, to settle these grave issues, and not another Administration. I suppose every politician prefers the easy road, to enact the popular policies, but some decisions cannot be ignored, even when it means a difficult road ahead. Lincoln chose the hard road. The right road, for his time, as well as ours.
Paul in his epistle to the church in Corinth, compares the Christians life to an Olympic runner preparing for a race. "To win the contest an athlete must deny himself those things which would keep him from doing his best...training the body to do what it should, not what it wants to do." 1 Cor. 9:24-27
Doing the right things, even when it might hurt, and pushing through the pain, with a future goal in mind, is what Paul and Lincoln were talking about. From the Word of God's point of view: self-denial, not giving into self-interest, and not choosing the easy path, is as much the responsibility of the Believer, than what would be expected of any elected officials to their public.
Lincoln saw the importance of winning the war, ending slavery, and keeping the Union undivided, as his God given assignment. It was his race to run, not some future leader, it was his. I am reminded of what was said in the Epistle to the Hebrews, "Since we have such a huge crowd of witnesses watching us, let us strip off the things that hold us back...and let us run the particular race God has set before us." Heb. 12:1
Like ripples in a pond, when a stone has been cast in, that expands out until they reach the far shore, so did Lincoln's decisions effect us even 150 years later. May our individual part in the Christian race make a difference in our world today, and a positive impact for Christ in generations to come.
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