Happy (Belated) Fourth of July!

Yes, I know it's a week late, but I love the Fourth of July!  I'll always treasure memories of block parties, celebrations at the pool (greased watermelon race, anyone?), and best of all, fireworks at Fort Bragg.  I never tire of patriotic songs and touching tributes to the military, whose members are such an integral part of our city's culture.  Like my former career, teaching, many people consider the military a "calling" rather than a job.  In reflecting upon my friendships with soldiers, officers, and their families who temporarily or permanently call Fort Bragg "home", I must say that I agree.  

One of my closest friends, Eric, is currently stationed at Fort Bragg for the second time.  When he was in high school, Eric received what can only be described as a calling from God to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.  While he was (and is) intellectually brilliant, Eric was not the typical West Point candidate.  He wasn't the class president or captain of his lacrosse team.  He devoured science fiction novels, enjoyed playing video games, spent time with a handful of close friends, and would have undoubtedly adjusted comfortably to college life at one of the small Christian universities that he visited.  However, he chose to obey God and follow a path marked by hard work, sacrifice, and pain.  It has been a life of long hours, difficult deployments, and constant good-byes to friends killed in action or left behind when he moved to a different state.  On many days, he wishes that he had a "normal" job.  Yet, thus far, he has held fast to the calling.  As a result, God has given him a life story that commands attention and respect.  These experiences have given him unique influence and opportunities to preach the gospel to those who need it, and to encourage younger believers as well.

There is a debate among Christian thinkers:  Does God have a specific purpose for each one of us?  Or do we simply look for the places where He is working and join Him?  I think that a clear conclusion on this matter is less important than the fact that God is calling us somewhere, to do something.  He has given each of us talents (Luke 19:11-26) and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) so that we can serve the Church and "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...teaching them to obey everything [He] ha[s] commanded [us]."

Pray for me, and pray for yourself, that we will have the courage to seek and go to the places where He is calling us!