There is something about Nicholas Winton that I really admire. (If you haven’t read part one, you might want to do so before reading on.)
Nicholas Winton was a 29-year-old clerk who worked for the London Stock Exchange. In 1938, after visiting Czechoslovakia, Winton had a deep concern for the welfare of children who were about to be taken away to concentration camps. Winton stepped up to this situation and organized a rescue for these children. As a result 669 children boarded eight trains to London and were rescued.
One word could have stopped Winton. It is the same word that has stopped many a dreamer dead in his/her tracks.
But.
“But that’s impossible!”
“But how are we going to do that?”
“But where will we get the money?”
“But what makes you think you can do this?”
“But is this the right time?”
On and on it goes.
Yes, there is a time to measure, critique, and evaluate a dream. Yes, one must count the cost. Yes, whatever dream is put forth must withstand rigorous scrutiny. Yes, my dream may not necessarily be a part of God’s kingdom dream. All of this is true. Yet at the same time, I want to be a person who encourages the young and the not-so-young to see a need and then dare to dream about confronting that need.
I want to remember that in 1938, a young man saw a tremendous need and then chose to respond. Today, many people are very grateful that he did just that. Some are grateful because they were actually a part of that group of children who were rescued. We can also be grateful because his work can inspire and motivate us to dare to dream when we see human need.
Great story on Nicholas Winton. I was humbled to hear of him and the work that he did to save so many. He gave a bit of advice to us all when he said in essence that we should not be content to just do no bad, we should also be prepared to do good. I believe that we all need to make ourselves willing to let God do his kingdom work through us. For it is only when we touch this earth with his power that something great happens.
Thank you Marianne. Isn’t this such an inspiring story? Thanks for pointing out the comment that he made regarding doing good. I missed this when I watched the video.
“He gave a bit of advice to us all when he said in essence that we should not be content to just do no bad, we should also be prepared to do good.”
So glad you came by.
What a magnificent story! And so effectively told by one of the very children this heroic man saved! Many things struck me as I watched the video. One thing was this: How many people would have done what Mr. Winton did and then never told anyone about it?! What a truly good and great man! Thanks for sharing his inspiring story with us.
Connie–This is a wonderful story. I have seen the video clips several times at this point and continue to be inspired and encouraged by Winton’s life.