It has been more than 150 years since Stonewall Jackson died, but one story about this famous general is still remembered.
The story says that General Stonewall Jackson’s army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side. After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagons cross the river as soon as possible. The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks, and materials he could find. Long before daylight, General Jackson was told by his wagon master that all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. General Jackson asked where are the engineers and what are they doing? The wagon master’s only reply was that they were in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge.
There are many interesting lessons that can be drawn from this old story, i.e., Timing of the essence, leaders should trust their team members, and taking initiative is important. The most important lesson I see from this story is this:
Help often comes from unexpected sources. The fact that the wagon master was able to build a bridge using unconventional materials and methods shows that help can come from unexpected sources. It is important to keep an open mind and be willing to try new approaches to succeed.
This reminds me of Isaiah 55,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
This reminds me that if you will just start, God will help you in ways that you had not expected. God’s thoughts and ways are so great that we cannot imagine them.
Once you know what you need to do, just start and you will have help that comes to your rescue. Get ready, get set, but don’t fail to go!
Lonnie Davis