Humility, Peace, War

Humility, Peace, War,

No Place for God

            During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln faced not only the weariness of trying to bring together a divided nation, but also intense political pressure. Under such pressure Lincoln signed an order to transfer a regiment from one field of battle to another.

            When Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, found out about it, he refused to carry out his commander-in-chiefs directive. “Lincoln is a fool for ever signing the orders,” he said.

            A man preoccupied with success would have been infuriated. But not Lincoln. He knew that the preservation of the Union was a cause of much greater significance than his personal success. Lincoln said simply, “If Stanton said I’m a fool, then I must be one. He is nearly always right in military matters. I’ll step over and find out what his reasoning is.”

            After Lincoln listened to Stanton’s views, he rescinded the order, saving thousands of lives and avoiding a military disaster.

Maxwell, John C. The Journey from Success to Significance. Countryman Press: Nashville, TN. 2004