The Winners Tell the Stories

There are so many posts I could write in relation to the Civil War and the great leaders who fought on both sides but, at some point, I know I’ll have to get back to life in 2009.

Alas.

But not just yet! Because every lesson learned still very much applies to today.

Unless…

Unless what, pastor Rob?

 

Unless you miss some of the greatest principles and lessons due to your own presuppositions.

 

Can’t happen to me!

 

Oh no?

 

No, I never presume. And I come from a long line of non-presumers! So, when I hear something I just check to see if most people seem good with it. If most do, I figure it must be true.

 

Hmm…most people in Germany wanted Hitler to push forward with his insane policies of genocide and racial cleansing.

 

Except in that case.

 

Most people thought that poor security guard, Richard Jewell, really did bomb Centennial Olympic Park.

 

A one in a million mistake.

 

Most people in a very, very fickle crowd 2,000 years ago shouted for the Son of God to be crucified.

 

I see your point.

 

Good.

 

Now I can move on to my main point for today’s post—always remember that the winners tend to tell the stories—tend to write the history books. So, sometimes you miss the whole story or all the truth when you just swallow the party line. One of the coolest things about the Gettysburg trip was the chance it gave us to hear about great men from both sides (not just the North). The truth is, a lot of the greatest Christian leaders fought for sovereignty of the states and no big government (sounds like a fight we need to consider again) NOT for slavery as is so often written. A lot of the greatest men in the South completely abhorred slavery—much more so than some of their northern counterparts.

 

But you’ll never read that in the history books.

 

Don’t worry, I’m not trying to rewrite history (not all of it anyway  ) but I’ve learned that it’s always important to keep in mind that the winners usually tell the stories.