Devotion

Particularly, in times of stress, or doubt, or worry, I review these words:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

-- Abraham Lincoln

This is, perhaps, the most famous speech ever given.  Most of us have been asked to memorize all or portions of it as an assignment, or part of a school program.  The last segment, highlighted in red is perhaps the most famous piece of this speech.

But, its power and majesty only derive from its truth, not from its oratory brilliance.  Whatever your challenge, before you has gone someone else.  From that person, from that sacrifice, we must take increased devotion.  We have to resolve that we will live in full honor of that devotion.  And that more will pass this way again, because of our journey.

Maybe that is why we are off work tomorrow, to think about where our devotion must be increased, so that our journey honors someone, and that the way is better prepared for those who will come behind us.  We should never be on a path that no one else is meant to travel, because that can only lead to a destination no one wants to go.

GLYASDI