Lesson 21: General Lee and the Train Conductor,

Kentucky Division Chaplain David Chaltas


I was just returning from what I considered a very successful reenactment in Columbia. The Battle for Columbia was what I call a reenactor's reenactment. The people were so nice (as they had been in Charleston 2 weeks prior) and the hospitality was truly southern in nature. I must admit that I was filled with a sense of pride in my representation of General Lee and how well that persona was received. I was thinking of all the pictures and all the people talking to me and I found my chest swollen with an emotion bordering on arrogance. I thought how great it is to be so respected, forgetting the true nature of General Lee as a Christian; that of humbleness of spirit. I thought wherever I go I am recognized as General Lee, forgetting that we must maximize the message while minimizing the messenger. That is what false pride can do to a normal human being not focusing on his calling and mission. I must have been thinking for a few hours because my warning light for being low on gas came on and I decided to stop. I found a gas station close to Johnson City and stepped out in all my glory. I had on my gray vest, time piece, gray pants, boots and white shirt. I filled up my tank and went in to pay for my gas. I decided to purchase a snack and went to the counter to pay for my items when a nice cashier greeted me with a warm welcome. We talked a couple of minutes and then he said, "I think I know who you are." Well, I was in my glory and stated, "Really, who am I?" But I need not ask such a question, I just knew he would recognize me! "You're that railroad conductor from CSX that stops here ever now and then!" Well, the ego burst and I was humbled.

I drove a few miles and found an area where I could contemplate what had transpired. I opened my Bible or should I say it opened to St. Luke 21:46-47. "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widow's houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation." I realized my error of not giving God the glory for being allowed to represent Him in the persona of General Robert E. Lee. I realized that my pride must not overtake my purpose of serving the principles that I am duty bound to honor. I realized that I must as a voice from the past serve the people of the present as well as those of the future. I realized that I can only accomplish this through prayer as I seek guidance in that my performance. In all things I must acknowledge God, glorify God and serve Him while denying myself. It is my destiny to follow the old path and to deviate from it would make me one of the scribes. I asked for forgiveness and left that chapter behind at a lonely rest stop, feeling forgiven and once again walking with my destiny.

Sometimes in life we get so wrapped up in our own importance that we forget to humble ourselves in the sight of God and let Him guide our steps. My persona and my life is not for show but to help others see a Christian model that they can follow. General Lee believed in humbleness of spirit, denying himself, believing that Christ was his redeemer and to acknowledge God in all endeavors. We must remember that the manner in which we conduct ourselves is being scrutinized by those that doubt and we must conduct ourselves in such a manner that others will want what we have. General Lee knew this. So did General Jackson as was evidenced when he and General Ewell were in a bitter argument. General Ewell stormed out of General Jackson's tent in anger and decided to go back to finish the argument. To his surprise when he reentered the tent he found General Jackson on his knees praying out loud for Ewell. General Ewell exclaimed, "If this is religion I must have it." and was led to Christ by Jackson's humbleness and piety. By example, ladies and gentlemen we can make a difference. Let us take off the old coat and put on the new as we follow our destiny no matter where it may lie or wherever we are led. Let our lives be that of humbleness of spirit and servitude to others as Christ taught us to walk in humility. Luke 14:8-14: "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Sometimes a lesson in eating humble pie is the best medicine in keeping us spiritually healthy. I owe that young man a debt of gratitude. That is what is great about life, we learn from it daily or we are doomed to repeat our patterns again until we ultimately fail. Remember that we must maximize the message while we minimize messenger.

Rejoice in all things this day as I remain your humbled servant in Christ, The Old General