In 1934, Hitler’s plague of anti-Semitism was spreading throughout Europe like wildfire. Some would escape it. Millions would die from it. But an 11-year-old boy named Heinz would learn from it. Heinz was a Jew who lived in the Bavarian village of Furth with his family.
As tension mounted between the Jews and Germans in that community, Heinz’s father, a school teacher lost his job, and his family endured great hardship. Gangs of Hitler Youth roamed the neighborhoods of Furth looking for trouble. Young Heinz learned keep his eyes open for them. Whenever he saw gang of troublemakers, he would cross to the other side of the street. Sometimes he would escape a fight, but sometimes he couldn’t.
One day Heinz found himself face to face with a Hitler Youth. A beating appeared inevitable, but on this day he walked away unhurt, not because he put up a good fight, but because of what he said. Somehow he convinced this troublemaker that a fight was foolish and unnecessary.
From that point on eleven year old Heinz learned the power of words to avoid conflict, and for a young Jewish boy living in such a volatile anti- Semitic climate, that was a skill he used often.
In fact, it was a skill he perfected. Fortunately Heinz and his family escaped Bavaria and made their way to America. As the years have passed, his name has become synonymous with peace negotiations.
Though he is still very much alive today, he will be remembered as on the greatest peacemakers of this century. You don’t know him as Heinz. You know him by his Anglicized name, Henry…Henry Kissinger.
Another mark of the wise is that they
Are Peacemakers
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it… Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger…Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 16:14; 29:8; 12:18
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Mat.5:9
We have looked at the characteristics of the wise in our last several blogs, but what does it take to become wise? Join us next time as we explore the answer.
Mark
