Good Monday Morning, Dear Friends,
Most American history books tell the story of the Battle of New Orleans, which took place on January 8, 1815. That day the British attempted to take the city of New Orleans which was protected by American forces led by General Andrew Jackson. Jackson had arrived in early December and found the city almost demoralized. In a frenzy of effort, he inspired the townspeople to make preparations for defense. At dawn on the morning of January 8, the British launched a full-scale attack on the city. The battle ended in total defeat for the British, costing them the lives of some 2,000 soldiers.
The terrible thing about the Battle of New Orleans is that it occurred after the war was over. Fifteen days before the British marched on the city, a peace treaty was signed in Belgium bringing the War of 1812 to a close. Before word reached New Orleans, the tragedy of January 8 had happened. Many historians refer to this conflict as, “The Needless Battle.” It is the sad and tragic story of a valiant struggle to sustain a cause which had already been decided.
Some things have already been decided regardless of the battles fought. We live in a dependable world. Stonehenge, the ancient neolithic monument located on the Salisbury Plain in England, is one of the biggest mysteries in archaeology. Yet most scientists agree that Stonehenge marks the changing of the seasons as certain stones appear perfectly aligned with the sun for a brief moment each year on June 22. Though it was built thousands of years ago, the builders knew the sun would be on schedule.
Is this same process not equally true in our quest for peace? There are certain principles, when applied, that always bring peace of mind. When we live with integrity by being true to the best we know, when we treat others as we would want to be treated, and when we are willing to leave the final results to Providence, there comes to us a kind of peace that no one can give us or take away. This road to peace was established when the Creator made his world. Any effort to change that road is a “needless battle.” There comes a time when those who seek peace of mind must surrender to the inevitable plan. If we go the way the Creator intended, we will come out where we want to be.
The way to peace is by surrendering to laws that are intended to prevail,
Bruce Jones, Pastor
Imagine Church
