Laboring Together
General Omar Bradley was born in 1893 in a log cabin. His parents taught him to study and work diligently alongside others. Bradley learned lessons in teamwork while playing high school baseball. After high school, he worked for the railroad. This conscientious young man impressed his Sunday School superintendent. Therefore, he recommended him to the military academy at West Point.
“Some men had difficulty adapting to the
demanding curriculum and strict military life at West Point, but Bradley
confessed that the discipline, the rigors of a code of conduct centering on
honor and duty, the structured society, and the opportunities for athletics
greatly appealed to him.” Bradley quickly rose within the ranks and helped
bring victory during World War II.
Omar Bradley was quiet and humble, but his
men respected him deeply because he demonstrated a genuine concern for them. He
was known as “the soldier’s general”. After retirement from active duty, he led
the Veterans’ Administration to greater heights.
Bradley described the necessity for unity in
the ranks. He said, “Our military forces are one team-in the game to win
regardless of who carries the ball. This is no time for ‘fancy dans’ who won’t
hit the line with all they have unless they can call the signals. Each player
on this team-whether he shines in the spotlight of the backfield or eats dirt
in the line-must be an All-American.”
General Bradley’s urgent message reminds us
of the glory days of the early church. “So continuing daily with one accord in
the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with
gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47, NKJV).
Lord, Do it again! He can if we follow Him.