I’ve now got about two weeks before I leave Virginia for Baghdad, Iraq. I write for the Air Force, so every time I go somewhere my job is a little different. To prepare for this deployment, the Air Force sent me to advanced combat training; however, I’m not quite sure what my job will consist of this time. I do know God has my best interest in mind.
One of the most rewarding things about being in the military is representing Christ overseas. The military chaplains often say that Christians in the military are forward missionaries. But understand this: I’m definitely not a trained or qualified missionary. In fact, I’m sometimes concerned I might dishonor God’s name unintentionally. I’m well acquainted with the great self struggle Paul wrote about in Romans 7. Knowing this struggle against self will, I would be horrified to “fall” in front of Muslim Iraqi – which would likely be his first impression of a Christian. This reminds me how important it is to guard God’s character when we wear it. Hey, it must be important to him too; check out the third of the Ten Commandments.
Much of my concern also comes from the military crowd I spend a lot of my time with. You probably know the stereotype: troops are obnoxious, rowdy, crude, fowl mouthed, etc. (My wife is a welcome opposite of this.) After being in the military for nine years I’ve become somewhat desensitized to raucous behavior. I still find myself resisting temptations to conform – after nine years of fighting it! I guess we’re all somewhat a product of our environment. But this is one of the reasons I love being a part of Regent. Proverbs 13:20 reads like this: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer.” Likewise, 1 Cor. 15:33 is similar: “Bad company ruins good character.” For this reason, some of my company requires me to spend quality time in the Word and in prayer.
So, brothers and sisters, I’m depending on my wife and you to be the wise people for me to walk with. Please help me counter some of my experience in the world, and help me along with prayer. I want very much to do the will of our Father while in modern-day Babylon. But I can’t do it without you. Knowing you’re with me in prayer encourages me – so I want to do the same for you. I welcome e-mails with prayer requests, because knowing more of you personally is an honor to me (plus it builds a network for the Kingdom.)
One of the most rewarding things about being in the military is representing Christ overseas. The military chaplains often say that Christians in the military are forward missionaries. But understand this: I’m definitely not a trained or qualified missionary. In fact, I’m sometimes concerned I might dishonor God’s name unintentionally. I’m well acquainted with the great self struggle Paul wrote about in Romans 7. Knowing this struggle against self will, I would be horrified to “fall” in front of Muslim Iraqi – which would likely be his first impression of a Christian. This reminds me how important it is to guard God’s character when we wear it. Hey, it must be important to him too; check out the third of the Ten Commandments.
Much of my concern also comes from the military crowd I spend a lot of my time with. You probably know the stereotype: troops are obnoxious, rowdy, crude, fowl mouthed, etc. (My wife is a welcome opposite of this.) After being in the military for nine years I’ve become somewhat desensitized to raucous behavior. I still find myself resisting temptations to conform – after nine years of fighting it! I guess we’re all somewhat a product of our environment. But this is one of the reasons I love being a part of Regent. Proverbs 13:20 reads like this: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer.” Likewise, 1 Cor. 15:33 is similar: “Bad company ruins good character.” For this reason, some of my company requires me to spend quality time in the Word and in prayer.
So, brothers and sisters, I’m depending on my wife and you to be the wise people for me to walk with. Please help me counter some of my experience in the world, and help me along with prayer. I want very much to do the will of our Father while in modern-day Babylon. But I can’t do it without you. Knowing you’re with me in prayer encourages me – so I want to do the same for you. I welcome e-mails with prayer requests, because knowing more of you personally is an honor to me (plus it builds a network for the Kingdom.)
1 comment:
Russell,
I will be praying for you as I am sure the rest of our New Testament Studies class will be also.
God will keep you and bring you home safe.
This is a great way to keep in touch with others here in the states.
Thank you for your great work for our country!
Blessings,
Melissa
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