"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." ~Matthew 7:7-8
A young training officer (we'll call him "Ethan") had approached me after a meeting to speak to me further about the role of faith in the military. I could tell that he was uncomfortable amidst the lingering group of enlisted men and women, so we stepped off into a vacant conference room to speak privately.
"Cris, how can you live your faith so openly in everyday settings?," he opened.
"Well, Ethan, I strive to conduct all of my affairs consistently, regardless of the setting. So, I guess I don't really notice the difference between the business setting, the training setting, and all other settings, " I replied. "Particularly in the critical roles these men and women are undertaking--roles which will separate them from their families and subject them to the very real danger of dying to defend freedom--a foundation built upon the Faith of their choosing is imperative."
Ethan's face betrayed his consternation, and then he stammered out, "But aren't you afraid you're going to offend someone?! I mean, I've seen you speak openly not only with our recruits but also with our senior officers." Now I understood more about the basis of his concern.
I paused for a moment and then calmly replied, "Yes, Ethan, I am concerned about offending Someone...God." I continued, "Each of us has been endowed by our Creator with certain gifts, often mastered through great effort on our part, often undertaken solely on our faith or the faith of our loved ones. Some of us are great commanding officers, field doctors and civil engineers, while others of us are great welders, drivers and gunners. God's love for us and investment in us have absolutely nothing to do with our earning capacity, but have everything to do with how our lives can influence and improve the lives of our fellow men and women through our military service to them."
Ethan interjected, "But, Cris, let's be realistic--not everyone believes in the same God as you and I. What if they think you're imposing your views upon them? Aren't you afraid to lose their respect or cause a breakdown in morale?"
"Ethan, that's the funny thing about my experience with the role of faith in military situations...everyone believes in something. Whether I'm coaching an individual or facilitating a team building leadership exercise, I incorporate the principles that also undergird various faiths. If you observe closely, then you will notice that I only introduce the specifics of faith when the other person opens the door.
"Nearly every day, a colleague, an enlisted man or a waitress at a restaurant will invoke faith in the context of a conversation. Just as likely in the Exchange and the infirmary, as well. I simply remain open to the discussion, never offering more than is being asked for." I paused, sensing that the cautious officer wished to offer a response.
"Now that you mention it, Cris, your principles are universal...and I have seen you speak of God in response to an other's invocation. Never consciously realized the subtlety before," Ethan concluded.
"I'm thankful you approached me about your concern. As people of faith, we have an obligation to give our best effort each day, consistently, regardless of our locale in the world theater. And, further, when the door opens to a deeper discussion with another, we can prayerfully thank God for the opportunity to serve Him through out chosen vocation. I'll be interested to hear how that works for you the next time I'm on base, Ethan..."
TODAY'S QUESTION: Are you able to authentically incorporate your faith--regardless of which faith you adhere to--into your chosen vocation and military career to achieve consistency of character?
"Dear Lord, give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me. Give me understanding that I may know, when duty calls him he must go. Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when he's away. And Lord, when he's in a foreign land, keep him safe in your loving hand. And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield. And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen." ~Army Wives Prayer
A young training officer (we'll call him "Ethan") had approached me after a meeting to speak to me further about the role of faith in the military. I could tell that he was uncomfortable amidst the lingering group of enlisted men and women, so we stepped off into a vacant conference room to speak privately.
"Cris, how can you live your faith so openly in everyday settings?," he opened.
"Well, Ethan, I strive to conduct all of my affairs consistently, regardless of the setting. So, I guess I don't really notice the difference between the business setting, the training setting, and all other settings, " I replied. "Particularly in the critical roles these men and women are undertaking--roles which will separate them from their families and subject them to the very real danger of dying to defend freedom--a foundation built upon the Faith of their choosing is imperative."
Ethan's face betrayed his consternation, and then he stammered out, "But aren't you afraid you're going to offend someone?! I mean, I've seen you speak openly not only with our recruits but also with our senior officers." Now I understood more about the basis of his concern.
I paused for a moment and then calmly replied, "Yes, Ethan, I am concerned about offending Someone...God." I continued, "Each of us has been endowed by our Creator with certain gifts, often mastered through great effort on our part, often undertaken solely on our faith or the faith of our loved ones. Some of us are great commanding officers, field doctors and civil engineers, while others of us are great welders, drivers and gunners. God's love for us and investment in us have absolutely nothing to do with our earning capacity, but have everything to do with how our lives can influence and improve the lives of our fellow men and women through our military service to them."
Ethan interjected, "But, Cris, let's be realistic--not everyone believes in the same God as you and I. What if they think you're imposing your views upon them? Aren't you afraid to lose their respect or cause a breakdown in morale?"
"Ethan, that's the funny thing about my experience with the role of faith in military situations...everyone believes in something. Whether I'm coaching an individual or facilitating a team building leadership exercise, I incorporate the principles that also undergird various faiths. If you observe closely, then you will notice that I only introduce the specifics of faith when the other person opens the door.
"Nearly every day, a colleague, an enlisted man or a waitress at a restaurant will invoke faith in the context of a conversation. Just as likely in the Exchange and the infirmary, as well. I simply remain open to the discussion, never offering more than is being asked for." I paused, sensing that the cautious officer wished to offer a response.
"Now that you mention it, Cris, your principles are universal...and I have seen you speak of God in response to an other's invocation. Never consciously realized the subtlety before," Ethan concluded.
"I'm thankful you approached me about your concern. As people of faith, we have an obligation to give our best effort each day, consistently, regardless of our locale in the world theater. And, further, when the door opens to a deeper discussion with another, we can prayerfully thank God for the opportunity to serve Him through out chosen vocation. I'll be interested to hear how that works for you the next time I'm on base, Ethan..."
TODAY'S QUESTION: Are you able to authentically incorporate your faith--regardless of which faith you adhere to--into your chosen vocation and military career to achieve consistency of character?
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