The following day, September 20th, following the bloodiest battle of the War Between The States, soldiers of the Union army took over the springs, and there watered themselves and their horses.
"Earlier, during the War of 1812, five hundred Cherokee soldiers from the area fought with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend against the Creek Indians, who were aligned with England. Their valor helped assure victory for the Americans. The Cherokee nation was divided into districts and courts with Crawfish Springs the county seat of one of the districts. " (from Wikipedia)
Two nights ago, my wife and I sat in the living room of some dear friends, Ted and Myra, on the north bank of Crawfish Springs, overlooking a vastly different scene. No horses. No soldiers. No battlefield campfires. No sounds of musket nor cannon. No moans of dying nor wounded men or their animals. No blood running in the water. Instead, the quiet serenity was punctured only by the bubbling, splashing sounds of waters gushing up from somewhere deep underground.
We had spent the evening in prayer, bible study, and meditation with our friends, who now live in a building, constructed beside the springs only a few more than 40 years following the terrible carnage.
As we sat in the quiet of the evening, my mind went back over the history of this spot, made sacred by the blood of men fighting and dying for their causes. Here, we sat, not in conflict but in peace, surrounded not by the sounds of battle and dying men, but instead, bathed in the love of our Lord.
What a contrast.
Men die. Peace is purchased by their blood. We get to enjoy the benefits and beauty of their sacrifices.
Same is true of our spiritual lives. Jesus died. A violent and cruel death. Our peace was purchased by his blood. We get to enjoy the benefits, blessings, and beauty of his sacrifice for us.
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Picture respectfully "borrowed" from: http://beejw.blogspot.com/2007/04/photo-of-crawfish-springs-chickamauga.html
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