Leap The Wall
Sgt. Richard Kirkland was a Confederate (South) soldier in the US Civil War (1861–1865). During the Battle of Fredericksburg in late 1862, the Union Army (North) lost a skirmish at Marye’s Heights, leaving wounded soldiers suffering in what is called no-man’s-land (a place that neither side is controlling). Kirkland got permission to help those men. Collecting canteens, he jumped over a stone wall and bent over the first soldier to help him. At great personal risk, the “Angel of Marye’s Heights” (as he was later called) gave the mercy of Christ to enemy soldiers.
Here’s hoping you never have to be on a battlefield. But even at your age, you will have the chance to help people. It could be a friend with problems at home or someone who seems to get picked on. “Leap the wall” and help the person!
The apostle Paul said, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Romans 12:20). So, whether the person who needs help is your friend or not, be an encouragement. Show Jesus’s love to him or her.
Paul’s challenge would be that we follow Sgt. Kirkland’s example. Today is the day for us to “leap the wall” of safety to lend comfort from God to those in need.
