We live in a day and age when people blow themselves to smithereens in order
to further various causes. You have to wonder why anyone would do such a thing.
In reality, most of these people are desperate, without even the slightest bit
of hope for a brighter future. For these people, the human promises of an
appealing after life may be motivation enough to choose such a horrible death.
But how can one justify killing innocent people and children, even those who
carry the label of infidel?
When General Dietrich von Choltitz faced similar orders, his response was quite
different. He had been appointed the governor of Paris, and he was expected to
obey all orders of his führer, Adolph Hitler. The allies had devastated several
German strongholds throughout Europe, and Hitler feared that Paris would be
next. His orders to General von Choltitz were very specific: "Destroy the city.
Do not surrender it intact to the Allies. The city must not fall into enemy
hands, unless it is lying in complete debris."
Explosives had been placed all over Paris. In electric and water facilities,
under centuries-old bridges spanning the Seine, in the 400-year-old Palais du
Luxembourg with its numerous treasures, in the Chamber of Deputies, the French
Foreign Office, the telephone exchanges, the railroad stations, the aircraft
plant and in every major factory in the nearby area.
Moreover to ensure that Paris would burn, a tunnel under the city was filled to
the brim with U-boat torpedoes. Once ignited, these would produce utter
devastation.
Although uprisings did start in Paris, General von Choltitz did not follow his
orders to fight until the last bullet. Instead, he was able to negotiate with
the Résistance to keep violence minimal, thus preventing any damage to the city.
When surrounded by allied troupes, he surrendered, and disobeyed yet another
direct order from Hitler, he refused to blow up a city that was filled with such
beauty and history. You can imagine how furious the führer must have been! I can
envisage fumes coming out of his nostrils.
After this, General von Choltitz was shunned by German veteran troupes. It seems
that he never regretted his decision to disobey a mad man, however. When he died
at the age of 71, several French army officers paid their respect by attending
the ceremony. A wreath was laid with the following words: "En souvenir
reconnaissante d'une famille de Paris" ("In grateful memory from a Parisian
family")
Instead of sowing death, General von Choltitz tried to sow life. Instead of
strife, he tried, to the best of his ability, to promote peace in the city of
Paris.
What a difference in perspective between those geared for revenge and
destruction and those geared to protect lives and promote peace!
Jesus says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
(Matt 5:9 NIV)
The apostle Paul makes us aware that each one of us has a choice to make. We can
take the easy road and follow our sinful nature. The result, however, is a mind
"set on what nature desires" (addictions), hostility towards God, and a
mind-frame geared for death.
We can also choose to decide to live according to God's Spirit, and have our
"minds set on what the Spirit desires" ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." See Gal 5:22-23). This
mindset promotes life and peace.
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that
nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their
minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the
mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to
God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the
sinful nature cannot please God." (Rom 8:5-8 NIV)
To which of these two groups do you belong?
Maybe I should reword my question: To which of these two groups would you like
to belong?
If you decide on the first group, you have nothing to do. Keep following your
natural inclinations, and fate will take its course. But please consider the
consequences of this choice carefully!
If you instead decide to belong to the second group, you must accept Jesus as
your Saviour and Master and invite His Holy Spirit to guide you to life, peace
and freedom. He died for you to make this possible! You can be assured that He
will deliver!
"Let's blow…"
"If there is something I would like to blow it's my perverse mindset!"
"Let's do it!"
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life.'" (John 14:6 NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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