Pickett's Charge
I love studying history. A favorite of American history for me is the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. I have found a lot of inspiration and courage as an intercessor by studying the dynamics of Little Round Top and the choices of Joshua Chamberlain on day two of the three-day battle. It's all about watchfulness, selflessness, valor and commitment. "Hold the ground at all hazards!" was Chamberlain's charge. He was the extreme left flank and the only thing that prevented the Union army from being routed at a critical moment. He and his men, the 20th of Maine, held the position defending the hill even when they ran out of ammunition.
I take JHOP DC interns to Little Round Top. We go and stand on the same hill that Chamberlain stood on. I've soaked up from the ground what Lincoln described as, "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." (Gettysburg Address)
I've drawn many parallels between Chamberlain holding that hill at all costs and God's call for us to hold a position on Capitol Hill against abortion. That's why it really got my attention when the Washington Examiner ran an article called "OBAMA CALLS DEMS TO PICKETT'S CHARGE."
George Pickett was given the futile task of leading 12,500 men on a straight on charge from Seminary Ridge to the Union's nearly impregnable position on Cemetery Ridge. In retrospect, this epic mistake was completely avoidable, but Lee insisted things be done his way. Thanks to Chamberlain's valiant efforts the day before, this would prove to be a suicide run for Pickett and his men. They pushed straight on and hard, but an hour later more than half of them lay dead on the field. This marked the moment that the Civil War reached its "High Water Mark." After that it was a slow march to Appomattox Courthouse when slavery met its end.
Being a good student of history has big advantages. Perhaps this all-or-nothing full frontal assault on the House of Representatives isn't the best strategy. Pro-abortion advocates have most likely failed to consider the effect of thousands of Christians holding the line against taxpayer-funded abortion in this health care bill through prayer, fasting and activism. Ignoring the abortion issue doesn't make it go away. Ignoring the effect of the well-organized pro-life community would be akin to Lee underestimating Chamberlain's effect on the Gettysburg battle, the outcome of the Civil War and ultimately the destiny of this nation.
Just sayin'
BTW- Here's a picture of me standing on top of Little Round Top and a picture of JHOP DC interns walking across the field of Pickett's Charge.
About the Author
Matt is a husband and proud father of four children. He's a full-time missionary serving as the Director of Bound4LIFE and the Justice House of Prayer DC. Formerly he had a career in advertising and marketing. Periodically he really wishes he had paid more attention in Government class.
