Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address & Lessons Therefrom

I continue to find so much wisdom in the writings and spoken words of President Abraham Lincoln. 
His 2nd Inaugural address, spoken just a few months before his untimely death, speaks volumes as to the man's compassion, wisdom, and what Professor Jim Collins refers to as "Level 5 Leadership".

In the midst of a personal conflict last year, I often reflected upon Lincoln's words from this addrerss:

"Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes."

Professor Jay Winik in his masterful "April 1865" work cites that President Lincoln had a Bible on the podium as he spoke that day. Upon conclusion of his final and famous words from that speech of "with malice towards none and charity towards all" he bent down, kissed the Bible, and softly uttered "so help me, God".

Like those in Lincoln's time who took opposite views on slavery, it just seems paradoxical to me that Christian men and women today, who profess to read the same Bible, worship and pray to the same God, are often at odds with each other and advocate for their own wishes and pursuits at the expense of others and that of the greater good.  I harken back to President Lincoln's words that "The Almighty has His own purposes" which may be antithetical to ours. 

Over the years, I have often heard many utter the words "the Lord has laid on my heart...." to preface what someone may believe and advocate. Yet, two different people may have entirely different views on the same issue despite professing that the Lord has laid that view on their heart.  I do not believe our God to be contradictory so as to lay two different views on the hearts of two different people.  So, who is right ?  Perhaps neither.    Perhaps what one may perceive or believe to be Divine inspiration is merely a deep human preference or desire. 

I do not believe that such words should be uttered with casual regularity. 


This is not a criticsm or a judgement, but rather just an observation of human behavior and a reminder that perhaps we all must keep the greater good in mind.  We should strive to seek a middle ground, not necessarily a compromise, but rather agreement that furthers the greater good and minimzes pain and hurt that our actions may inflict upon others.  Sadly, too many of us believe that life, work, and even church life is a zero-sum game with one winning at the expense of another losing. 

Finally, Lincoln's words remind me that, as often is the case, I am not always right and need to temper my actions and words accordingly.