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Jamestown would not have survived without him.  Plymouth may not have survived without him.  America might not even be in existence had it not been for this one individual.  I’m referring to John Smith; soldier, adventurer, and—you might be surprised to know—Christian.  One of the most colorful individuals in all of history, this Englishman with the very common name, John Smith, is also one of the most important individuals in all of history.  Not that you’ll find much about him in the textbooks of our day.  It’s interesting how many great individuals have been completely ignored by modern-day historians.  But that’s another subject.  Why was John Smith so important to America?

Smith came with those who landed at Jamestown in the spring of 1607.  He had been picked by the council who sent them to be one of the leaders.  But jealousy among the group refused his leadership, and they even put him in chains for the whole trip across the Atlantic.  Once here though, his Christian character and his many experiences began to shine to the point he could not be denied his rightful place as leader of the colony.  Taking the leadership at the darkest time, he transformed the colony into a working, self-sustaining community during his one year of office.  Without his enforcing the Bible teaching that “…if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2nd Thessalonians 3:10), the colony would surely have died out.  Instead, all went to work, no matter what class they had been in England, and that all-out effort saved them from starvation.

Orphaned when only eleven years old, Smith struck out on his own to explore the world.  He believed God had a plan for his life and that meant he could trust Jesus Christ to be his Provider and Protector.  He had traveled through much of Europe and Asia and fought in several wars where he gained a reputation as a great warrior.

Smith was always quick to protect a woman’s honor, being known to challenge to a fight any man who cursed in the presence of a woman.  He likewise led the Jamestown men to fight the Indians when necessary.  But he also became the instrument by which a lasting peace was established with the local Indians.

Several years later he helped in a similar way with the Plymouth colony in New England.  He led a mapping expedition in the Cape Cod area six months before the Pilgrims landed.  He brought with him an Indian named Squanto who had been in England a number of years.  Squanto would be the Indian who taught the Pilgrims how to live in the American wilderness and who also helped them establish a lasting peace with Chief Massasoit who led the tribes around Cape Cod.

In Smith’s writings he always acknowledged God’s provision and protection.  His last will and testament gives great insight into his faith in Jesus Christ.  He stated:

“I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, to receive full remission of all my sins, and to inherit a place in the everlasting kingdom.”

(The American Dream, Belials and McDowell (Providence Press, 2007), p. 69-70.)

In death, as in life, John Smith trusted Jesus Christ.

Will you do the same?  The Bible says,

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee…” (Isaiah 26:3)

Think about it; because if you don’t, someone else will do your thinking for you—and for your children!  And you won’t like what that brings to you.  I’m Don Pinson; this has been Think About It.