The WEIGHT of DESTINY

At times the burden of intercession can be almost overwhelming.

Yes, it is a weight we are asked to carry as we serve God in the last days of this age. Still, the privilege, the relationship with Our Heavenly Father, His Son, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit, is the "wind beneath our wings".

There was sobbing today and some very deep groaning. The Spirit within has not forgotten Hiroshima. He has not forgotten Nagasaki.       In August of 2013 it will be 68 years since that day when the B-29 Flying Fortress with its escort planes took off from Tinnian Island in the Marianas to drop the first atomic bomb.

The culmination of years of planning, engineering and experimentation, it was not an accomplishment to make a man proud. On the contrary, it tried and tested the conscience and integrity on the deepest level, of every person involved. Deep sorrow for the devastation and destruction was outweighed by the fervent hope that all losses in human life inflicted by WWII, must now end.

On that day when the first atomic bomb exploded 1850 feet above the Japanese city of Hiroshima, history changed. The future of mankind on planet Earth changed. Life could never again be the same. It was estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 lives were lost. Many were grievously wounded.

One Japanese businessman visiting Hiroshima, stunned by the effects of the explosion, returned to his home in Nagasaki, only to be subjected to the same horror a second time, several days later. He survived his wounds, and lived to age 92, dedicating himself to peace.

An historic film, "Above and Beyond", focused on the heart-wrenching story of Paul Tibbets, the commander of the men who trained for and executed the Hiroshima and Nagasaki raids. Tibbets piloted the Enola Gay (named for his mother) and gave the order for the bomb drop.

During the previous months of training at the air base in Utah, Tibbets and his wife - who arrived several months after the birth of their second son - became alienated. Because complete secrecy of their mission was required, the men could say nothing to their wives about it. 

There was very little content to family conversation. Tibbets appeared to his wife to be cold and unfeeling. A woman finds that frustrating, and eventually unacceptable. She had not an inkling of the deep pain in her husband's soul. Mrs. Tibbets stirred things up to the point where the security officer told her husband: she and the children should be flown back home. Having become a security risk, she was gone within a day.

Soon the 'bluelight' signal of readiness was given by Tibbets and the decision to proceed with 'silverplate' came from high command and the Oval Office. The unit flew to Tinnian to continue training and to await the day.

There were four potential Japanese cities considered, and the

weather predictions over each as the Enola Gay approached Japan, would decide where the bomb would be dropped. Hiroshima weather was the most clear.

The Enola Gay had flown over 1200 miles from Tinnian to Japan and back.

The website, Acepilots.com has the detailed story, and it can be seen by putting "Paul Tibbets and the Enola Gay" into the search bar.

Paul Tibbets lived to the age of 92, and never expressed regret for his part in the Hiroshima event. He had made his decision of conscience long before.

Afterthought:

In the late 1980s, the founder of Lindsay House Publishing was driving down Pacific #1 in California after visiting family for several days. The noon hour approached, and she found a small restaurant and a table on a patio, next to a wall of cascading bougainvillea. She had half-completed her meal when a couple was seated at a nearby table.

Their conversation revealed that the man was an American, and the woman, Japanese. She told him, "I would have liked a table in the sunshine."

Hearing this, I stood and approached, inviting them to join me at my table. "I will soon be leaving and you can then enjoy the sunshine with your meal." They both smiled and accepted my invitation.

As we shared, they told me they were both employees of the Eastman Kodak Company, and had met in Japan. They had fallen in love, and were on their way to Massachusetts (his family home) to introduce the lady to the family, and to the country. I shared a little of my story, and that I had lived outside of Tokyo for six months in 1947.

Then, feeling strongly moved, I reached out and took one of her hands, and said, 

"I know that your people suffered a great deal at the end of the war due to the American military bombings. As a representative of the American people, I want to ask you -- please forgive us!" Tears had come to my eyes, and as I looked at the lady, I saw tears in her eyes as well.

She took a quick breath, nodded her head, and said,

"Yes, I forgive you." 

We continued for a little while, holding both hands now, and smiling through our tears. We both sensed that something profound was taking place. The look on her fiancee's face confirmed this as well.

I then rose to leave, wishing them the very best, and assuring them of my prayers.

Someday the world will understand what we felt that day --

that because God is Love, miraculous healing is accomplished by

FORGIVENESS.

R.T.