The Magnificent Certainty

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32963 Faith Column for 4-18-13 By Rev. Drs. Casey & Bob Baggott Community Church of Vero Beach And Then Some Have you heard the story about the American GI’s returning home from Europe at the end of World War II? The weakest, the ones released from prison camps, were scheduled to go first, but transportation was limited. On the morning of one boatlift, weary, ragged soldiers got in line at the dock. They had been told that because of space limitations they could only bring one duffle bag aboard – nothing more. Each was carrying just his most precious possessions in his duffel bag. Once in line, the commander told them to count off, from the front of the line to the rear. The first fifty were going home that day. All others would have to wait for later transport, though there was no clear idea of when the next ship and the next opportunity would come. And so the count off began. When soldier fifty called out his number, he looked behind him at his closest friend, soldier number fifty-one, and then he did a remarkable thing. Soldier fifty unzipped his duffle bag and poured the contents on the ground. Then he told his emaciated friend, number fifty-one, to climb into the bag. He zipped the bag, and with his last ounce of strength lifted that bag over his shoulder and walked aboard the ship with his most precious possession. Is that above and beyond what is asked of any man or women in such a spot? Maybe. Hearing the story, most of us can’t help wondering what we would have done in such a position. Would we have believed in the necessity of helping a brother or sister? Would we have felt it necessary to go above and beyond what was expected of us? James Francis Byrnes was a key advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt, during the turbulent years of World War II. In this role he met politicians and industrialists, presidents and popes, kings and diplomats. Some years later he commented that the difference between average people and great people could be explained in three words, and the three words were: and then some. Great people, Byrnes said, did what was expected of them, and then some. They were considerate and thoughtful of others, and then some. They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly and squarely, and then some. They were good friends to their friends, and then some. They could be counted on in an emergency, and then some. Now, we might ask ourselves if by Byrne’s characterization of life’s greatest people we fit in. Could it be said of us that we meet life’s requirements, and then some? For those of us who try to live our lives by faith’s demands, these aren’t new questions, of course. It’s not that we people of faith strive desperately to win God’s favor by acting in an exemplary manner. It’s merely that having faith in a God of goodness, greatness, and grace inspires us to want to go above and beyond the basics, out of gratitude. Faith makes us a bit more selfless, a bit more courageous, a bit more capable, a bit stronger, wiser, kinder, better. So let’s empty the duffle bags of our lives of whatever we’re carrying that is insignificant and meaningless. Let’s shoulder instead the burdens that will change a life for the better. Let’s make a difference, and then some.