Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Nearly three decades ago a very brave man went against all
he had been told . . . and saved the world from utter destruction.
On September 26, 1983, tensions between the United States
and the Soviet Union were at a dangerous level. The Soviets had recently shot
down a civilian airliner and the rest of the world demanded retaliation.
Russian military believed an attack by America was imminent.
That night, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov
began his shift as the commander of Russia ’s Strategic Rocket Forces.
His job was to launch nuclear missiles at the US . Petrov’s standing orders were
very simple and clear: If his computers detected missiles approaching Soviet
airspace, then he was to immediately launch a counter-strike. No questions
asked.
Just past midnight ,
Petrov received a computer report he'd dreaded: a nuclear missile had been
launched from the US ,
destination Moscow .
The bunker he commanded was in full alarm with red lights blazing and sirens
blaring. But, Petrov thought the computer was making a mistake. “Why would America launch
only one missile?” he thought. So, he didn’t respond.
But then, five more incoming missiles were detected and the
officers under Petrov’s command in the secret bunker demanded his order to
launch Russia ’s
missiles. They believed Russia
was being attacked and their commander was not responding.
In fact, Petrov did responod. But, his response was not what
anyone expected.
At that moment, Petrov had two options. He could dismiss the
missiles as computer errors, breaking military protocol and risk his career or
take the responsive action he was expected to fulfill and commence a full-scale
nuclear war against America ,
potentially killing millions.
Since you are reading this, you already know what he
decided. Not knowing how or why, Petrov believed the computer’s report of
incoming missiles was an error, knowing that if he was wrong, Moscow would be destroyed in minutes.
Later, it was determined that the computer had read a very
rare sunlight alignment with satellites as an American missile launch. But, in
those few incredibly tense and dangerous moments years ago in 1983, Stanislav Petrov
made a decision that went against the tide of all those around him – and he saved
the world.
Have you ever felt like Lieutenant Colonel Petrov? Maybe you
feel like him every day! Sometimes as Christians in an unfriendly world, we are
compelled to make decisions that go against the tide of the people around us.
If that sounds familiar to you, then you are in very good company. Because 2000
years ago a very brave Man went against all He had been told, and saved the
world from utter destruction.
Yes, Jesus went against the tide. He chose peace over
fighting, hope over despair, faith over fear and love over hate. Then and now,
these were not popular decisions in the world. But, He did not make decisions
according this world. Rather, He made His decisions based on His Father’s will.
Today, you will have decisions to make. Which way will you
go? Will you do what the world expects and go with the flow? Or, will you go
against the tide? If you decide to follow the path that Petrov did, the way of
courage and peace, then you will find Jesus ahead of you clearing the way;
beside you guiding your steps, and behind you if you fall.
With our Lord and Savior, against the tide is the only way
to go.
This Week’s Prayer
Dear Lord, I want Your will and Your will alone to be mine.
Grant me the strength and courage to go against the tide of popular trends and
pressures. I need Your guiding light to show me the way to Your Kingdom in this
world. Allow me greater wisdom to know what decision to make in every part of
my life this day and through all the days of my life. Amen.
