What will the Many Owe Us?

On this day (Australian time) in 1940 Winston Churchill, the master speech maker, uttered his most famous line “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few". His speech in the House of Commons was an inspiration to the United Kingdom that gave its citizens hope and belief in the midst of huge defeats.

Churchill’s words transformed the spirit of a nation, but the power arose not from the cleverness of the phrasing but from the huge sacrifice to which it referred. The quote will never again resonate like it did for those who heard it in 1940 through crackling radios, huddled in bomb pocked buildings, with the acrid smells of war surrounding them. Those British citizens knew the truth of the words because they were alive by virtue of what the acts the words described.

Here we are eighty years later, facing a different trauma, nowhere near as threatening, but still unsettling and distressing. Added to that, we are all battling the life pressures – study, work, parenting, community obligations – that create their own brand of trauma. Where are our few to whom we can owe so much?

To answer this question, we must turn our eyes away from our government, families and communities and look squarely into the mirror. In the words of William Johnsen, “if it is to be, it is up to me”. Our choices to sacrifice to meet the needs of others are what build circles of care that lift us all up. And, as is the nature of circles, what you begin has a wonderful habit of returning to you. As Jesus’ said: “but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave”.

Fortunately, the sacrifices we must make rarely risk life and limb, they also have a more certain effect. To provide victory over most of the stresses of our modern world we only need to sacrifice in attitude: that we see others’ needs as more important than our own.

A smile may be the last thing you want to give on this day, but it is the best thing the person in your class, office, or home needs. Kind words and a caring ear may be the last thing you have time for in your day, but it is all someone else needs to fix theirs. Your burdens may seem too great to allow you to be generous with your time, energy or money, but giving generously and unexpectedly will ease others’ anxiety and bless you with joy.

The Few of the RAF gave a great deal over a short period to free the many. We don’t have to give as much, but we need to give it longer with great consistency and the many, especially those we love, will be freed by it.