Scriptures: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)In Munich, there’s a place called Feldherrnhalle. This is a place where Adolf Hitler failed in the Beer Hall Putsh (German word for military Coup De’tat), one of his early attempts to seize power. To remember the 16 Nazis who died there, Hilter installed a guarded memorial and demanded that all who passed by that memorial must give a Nazi style solute. Being a police state then, anyone who did not do so would be arrested and prosecuted.
But there were many people who believed that this is nonsense. Yet, given the power of Nazi then, what option did they have? Well, it so happened that there was a little alley called Viscardigasse, a very short and narrow alley (as shown in the picture), right behind the Feldherrnhalle. This little short alley became their only option then. Those who refused to give that Nazi style solute would choose this alley to go over to the other side so they don’t have to pass by that guarded memorial. Therefore, it later came to be known as Drückebergergasse which means Dodger’s Alley.
If you pay a closer attention to the picture, you will find a trail curing through this alley. If you are present in the alley, you will find that this trail is actually painted in gold color. People in Munich used this way to remember the foot prints of those who refused to give that Nazi style solute and their silent protests.
When I first heard this, the courage of those who chose to do so impressed me. I am sure the police back then knew exactly why people turned into this little alley right before passing that memorial. Yet, even at the presence of such an evil force, they refused to give the solute that honored that evil power. Silent, implicit, unorganized and spontaneous as they were, their protests must have been loud and echoed in the hearts of many. Their courage and choice touched my heart deeply.
Then, it hit me that, as silent and unorganized as they were, people did not forget them. People literally painted their trails to remember their foot prints to remember what they did. I suppose human history is filled with stories like this, especially in times of troubles and turmoil. The only difference between this one and others is people chose to keep their foot prints in a visible way and this reminded me of what Bible says about those who preach the good news, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)
There have been a lot of great and inspiring missionaries that brought the good news of our Lord Jesus to many parts of this world. But there’re a lot more missionaries who, through their lives and messages, brought salvation into the lives of billions and turn those lives into territories of the Kingdom of God. Some responded to their calling through serving the sick in medical ministries, some through serving the poor and lowly ones, some through serving the orphans, and others through many other ways that we don’t even know about. But I am sure every foot step they took has been marked in heaven and viewed more precious than gold in the eyes of the God they served so faithfully.
My friends, what is the calling our Lord has for you? Do you feel forgotten or insignificant working in the ministries given you? You know, I sometimes do. In many cases, I know I need a reminder like this. For me, Viscardigasse reminded me that, as long as we remain faithful to our calling, we can be God’s instruments to touch and change lives and that, more importantly, God remembers what we do. And that’s all that matters!
Prayer Requests:
For everyone who feel being spread too thin or working ineffectively in the kingdom of God
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for all the opportunities of serving You and Your children. As we strive, we ask for Your continual guidance, strength, and reminders that You always care and remember so our ministries are always anchored in You and Your grace alone because we pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savor, Amen!
But there were many people who believed that this is nonsense. Yet, given the power of Nazi then, what option did they have? Well, it so happened that there was a little alley called Viscardigasse, a very short and narrow alley (as shown in the picture), right behind the Feldherrnhalle. This little short alley became their only option then. Those who refused to give that Nazi style solute would choose this alley to go over to the other side so they don’t have to pass by that guarded memorial. Therefore, it later came to be known as Drückebergergasse which means Dodger’s Alley.
If you pay a closer attention to the picture, you will find a trail curing through this alley. If you are present in the alley, you will find that this trail is actually painted in gold color. People in Munich used this way to remember the foot prints of those who refused to give that Nazi style solute and their silent protests.
When I first heard this, the courage of those who chose to do so impressed me. I am sure the police back then knew exactly why people turned into this little alley right before passing that memorial. Yet, even at the presence of such an evil force, they refused to give the solute that honored that evil power. Silent, implicit, unorganized and spontaneous as they were, their protests must have been loud and echoed in the hearts of many. Their courage and choice touched my heart deeply.
Then, it hit me that, as silent and unorganized as they were, people did not forget them. People literally painted their trails to remember their foot prints to remember what they did. I suppose human history is filled with stories like this, especially in times of troubles and turmoil. The only difference between this one and others is people chose to keep their foot prints in a visible way and this reminded me of what Bible says about those who preach the good news, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)
There have been a lot of great and inspiring missionaries that brought the good news of our Lord Jesus to many parts of this world. But there’re a lot more missionaries who, through their lives and messages, brought salvation into the lives of billions and turn those lives into territories of the Kingdom of God. Some responded to their calling through serving the sick in medical ministries, some through serving the poor and lowly ones, some through serving the orphans, and others through many other ways that we don’t even know about. But I am sure every foot step they took has been marked in heaven and viewed more precious than gold in the eyes of the God they served so faithfully.
My friends, what is the calling our Lord has for you? Do you feel forgotten or insignificant working in the ministries given you? You know, I sometimes do. In many cases, I know I need a reminder like this. For me, Viscardigasse reminded me that, as long as we remain faithful to our calling, we can be God’s instruments to touch and change lives and that, more importantly, God remembers what we do. And that’s all that matters!
Prayer Requests:
For everyone who feel being spread too thin or working ineffectively in the kingdom of God
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for all the opportunities of serving You and Your children. As we strive, we ask for Your continual guidance, strength, and reminders that You always care and remember so our ministries are always anchored in You and Your grace alone because we pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savor, Amen!
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