“do not despise these small beginings, for the lord rejoices to see the work begin”
(Zechariah 4:10)
On November 9th, 1989, Gunter Schabowski, a journalist and recently appointed spokesman for East Germany, was handed a text containing new, temporary travel regulations concerning the citizens of the communist regime.
These regulations stipulated that East German citizens could apply for permission to travel abroad under conditions less stringent than those currently in place.
Though the text was not explained to Schabowski, he felt comfortable reading the regulations at a press confrence which was televised, live, to the entire country.
Schabowski had previously commented, “all that one needs to conduct a press conference is to be able to speak German and read a text without mistake.”
After reading the text, Schabowski was asked by a reporter when these new regulations would take effect. Speaking off the cuff, based on his own understanding of the wording of the document, he responded, “As far as i know… effective immediatly, without delay.”
He made further statements without direction.
He spoke of “going through the border” and “freedom of travel”
Upon hearing this information, the citizens of East Germany, who had been desperately trying to flee through all means necessary, flooded the Berlin Wall.
Armed with the news of these new regulations and far outnumbering the armed guards, they demanded to be let through.
The guards, unwilling to open fire in order to control the situation, ordered the gates opened.
That day, as nearly all of the oppressed citizens streamed through the border, East Germany, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist.
This event shows us that the small, seemingly insignificant actions of even one man can absolutely alter the entire course of history.
making changes
In the wake of the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk, an entire new generation of Believers has been called.
Dormant Christians have reawakened.
Citizens from every country, across the globe, have felt led to “do something”
Though this feeling appears universal, among those whose hearts have not been completely hardened, many are asking, “What do we do?”
They know that something needs to be done.
They are no longer satisfied with the status quo, but when faced with a problem so complex, an issue of such magnitude as to concern entire nations, they need practical steps.
it starts with you
courage is doing what’s right, when you don’t know how its going to turn out
-charlie kirk
Every day, moment by moment, each of us faces decisions.
While we are driving to work, we get cut off.
We are faced with a decision to seek revenge or offer grace.
While at the grocery store, we encounter a cashier who is awkward or unpleasant.
We are faced with a decision to avoid contact, fumbling with our wallet and keys, or to have a human interaction.
In our living rooms, we are confronted with a family member who faces real questions concerning life.
We are faced with a decision to keep the peace, to placate, or to speak the truth, in love, even when the reaction may be unpleasant.
In our own private lives, we face hidden struggles and battles that no one sees.
We are faced with a decision to succumb to temptation or to overcome through the strength of the same Spirit that raised Christ from death to life.
All of us would like to believe that we would be willing to lay down our lives for our country, for a loved one, for God…
Are we willing, though, to lay down our lives at the check-out counter?
Are we willing to endure even a minute of the awkwardness that sometimes comes with connection?
Are we willing to let go of the rage we feel on the road that leads us to petty, meaningless behaviors?
Are we willing to speak the truth of The Word to those we love, even when it causes division?
If we won’t allow God to lead us in a simple interaction at the grocery store, we are fooling ourselves in thinking we will courageously lay down our lives if that’s what is required of us.
If we won’t show our neighbor grace for a traffic infraction, how would we handle true persecution?
If we can’t speak the truth in the comfort of our own home, what makes us think we would speak it in front of kings?
In the military, there is a saying: “We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
Integrity, courage, conviction…
You can’t buy them.
They don’t just come to you when you need them.
They are forged in the everyday. In the mundane. Moment by moment.
Men of character, who, when meeting the moment required of them, stand fast…They fell to the level of their training.
All of us feel the calling to be that type of man.
All of us see that Charlie was that type of man. Standing fast even unto death.
It starts today.