IT has often been said that many people’s lives can be divided into Act One and Act Two. The first performance ends when one decides to ultimately follow a new direction or passion. This new direction is what makes life worth living as it is governed by principle, spirit, and passion.
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As the new year starts, let me share with you an inspiring story that relates how a banker changed his lifestyle – from a successful banking life to a life wholly committed to public service. Hopefully this story will lift our spirits and energize us for this coming new year. May this story also make us more compassionate, more caring, and more concerned with others who are in need of assistance, be it physical, psychological, or financial. Especially at this time when calamities one after the other have been creating too much damage, suffering, and pain here and abroad.
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The main character of this story is Henri Dunant, the Swiss founder of the Red Cross in 1864. Many of us are familiar with the Red Cross as early as our elementary school days. But not many know that the symbol of the Red Cross which is a red cross on a white background is actually a tribute to Switzerland, Dunant’s nationality. The Swiss flag is the reversed color of the Red Cross.
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Dunant was a neutral spectator at the Battle of Solferino in Italy on June 24, 1859. A banker by profession, Dunant’s life was peaceful and non-controversial. What he saw in the Battle of Solferino shocked him. He saw the battleground littered with about 40,000 dead and wounded victims. Dunant was dumbfounded by the massive suffering of the wounded soldiers he personally witnessed. During his banking life, he never saw human tragedy as this.
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Here is a more detailed account of the Battle of Solferino – the event that changed the life of Henry Dunant from a life of ease to a life of humanitarian service.
"The date is June 24, 1859. Suddenly, there he is, atop a hill overlooking the plain of Solferino. Napoleon’s troops prepare for battle with the Australians below, and Henri Dunant has a box-seat view from his place on the hill.
"Trumphets blare, muskets crack, and cannons boom. The two armies crash into each other, as Henri looks on, transfixed. He sees the dust rising. He hears the screams of the injured. He watches bleeding, maimed men take their last breaths, as he stares in horror at the scene below.
"Henri doesn’t mean to be there. He is only on a business trip – to speak to Napoleon III about a financial transactions between the Swiss and the French. But he arrived late and now finds himself in a position to witness first-hand the atrocities of war.
"What Henri sees from his hill, however, pales in comparison with what he is soon to witness. Entering a small town shortly after the fierce encounter, Henri now observe the battle’s refugees. Every building is filled with the mangled, the injured, and the dead. Henri, aching with pity, decides to stay in the village three more days to comfort the young soldiers.
He realizes that his life will never be the same again. Driven by a powerful passion to abolish war, Henri Dunant will eventually lose his successful banking career, and all his worldly possessions only to die as a virtual unknown in an obscure poorhouse.
"But we remember Henri today because he was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (in 1901). We also remember him because of the movement he founded – the Red Cross.
"Act One of Henri Dunant’s life closed on June 24, 1859. Act Two opened immediately and played the remainder of his 81 years. Henri Dunant’s old life, driven by financial success, prestige, and power, no longer satisfied. A new Henri Dunant emerged in Act Two. One that was motivated by love, compassion and an overriding commitment to abolish the horrors of war. Henri Dunant’s old self is laid to rest and a new self is born."
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From the Biblical standpoint, it was not an accident that Henri Dunant, a fellow who was well-established in his banking career, happened to be a neutral spectator at the Battle of Solferino. Nor was it by chance that he witnessed thousands of soldiers dying and suffering from wounds. Neither was it coincidental that Henri Dunant was deeply touched by the magnitude of human suffering at the Battle of Solferino. Even the fact that Henri Dunant was later moved to organize and found the Red Cross is according to God’s plan. How else could we explain the sudden turnabout of Henri Dunant’s career from a secure banking life to one committed to public service with all the attendant risks?
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Many of us wonder why transformation takes place in people’s lifes. Countless true stories about drug addicts, rapists, prisoners, murderers, and other criminals whose lives have been transformed have been written; testimonials too of these members of societies have been recorded. And we ask ourselves. How did this unbelievable transformation happen? By God’s grace, how else. God’s grace is simply God’s love, God’s mercy, and God’s blessing. It is God’s unmerited favor. God looks upon us with love and forgive us even though we, being sinners do not deserve it. Sometimes God’s grace is called God’s enabling power. As the Lord said to Paul when the latter confessed his weakness, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
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As Year 2005 enters, let us continue looking up to our Lord God for strength, for direction, and for wisdom to cope with the everyday problems and crises in our lives. Our living God is definitely greater than all our problems combined. He is control of everything. Let us not insult Him by relying on other entities/things (even in a small way) for our protection and provision. Total reliance on Him is what pleases our Lord God.
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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, 6th Floor, New Solid Building, 357 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano version that is preferred.
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This column is also giving out for free a 42-page 3 x 5 inch booklet that briefly explains the basic doctrine of salvation presented in the Holy Bible. To those who are struggling as to what the Holy Bible really says on how souls can be saved from eternal damnation, please do not hesitate to write me and ask for a copy of this booklet. Let us not forget the Biblical verse that says: "What profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"
A Blessed New Year to all!
