Eighty years ago on February 19, 1945, United States Marines, arriving on amphibious landing craft, hit the beaches of Iwo Jima, Japan starting the five-week battle that would produce one of the most iconic photographs of the war and an image that stirs the hearts of Americans to this day.
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Just a few weeks later, three of the six Marines would be killed in battle, as would thousands of other Americans in the effort. While the objectives were ultimately accomplished, the United States suffered 50% more casualties than the Japanese. The loose, unstable volcanic rock of the island, coupled with the complex fortified underground tunnel system the Japanese used to maneuver their troops, proved to be unexpected complications. While some argued about the strategic benefit of the island, what they learned during its invasion helped them carry out the battle for Okinawa and subsequent landings on the Japanese mainland.
Things don't always go as planned, in fact, they rarely do. That is where our Core Conviction of "Do the next right thing" comes from. Setbacks are temporary when you call them out, learn from them, and do what's right...next.
"The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." (Proverbs 24:16)
Too often we think we need to be perfect, and when we aren't it debilitates us for a time. I love the saying from author Criswell Freeman: "When life throws you a curveball...swing!"
Yesterday, we were on a long journey back from a project in Honduras and came upon this little obstacle in the road:
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With no way around and little hope of pushing the truck out of the ravine, we had to turn, go back to where we started, and find a different route over the mountain. We eventually did, and were blessed with the most amazing view:
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Sometimes detours in life have unexpected blessings.
Stuck in a decision you regret? Paralyzed by a circumstance you didn't expect? Run up against an insurmountable obstacle on the road forward? Licking your wounds from a tough battle?
Do the next right thing. Chart a new course, learn from your experience, get up, dust yourself off, and keep moving. Things don't typically go as planned and that's a good thing. God has something better in store than you could have ever imagined.
