As I’ve been thinking about this year for our church, I’ve also been thinking of a story from my Texas history class. The key story of Texas history is their struggle for independence from Mexico. Here’s a 30 second summary. Texans rebelled against Mexico and had some early victories in 1835. Yeehaw! Mexico responded with a well-trained army under the ruthless General Santa Anna. The small, unorganized Texas army started - as we say in Texas - gettin’ whoopped (beaten). Under General Sam Houston, the Texas army retreated, recruited, and trained ... retreated, recruited, and trained. They were building strength and waiting for the right time. Finally, in 1836, the Texans attacked, captured Santa Anna, and won the war.
On the surface, it looked like they were moving backward and getting weaker. But they weren’t. They were getting stronger and preparing to move forward from a position of strength. They were preparing for victory.
