When Do We Go?
Dan Kunz
First of all, if you attended the Christian Leadership Experience yesterday, thank you! It was a great event and we’re very thankful for all our speakers and all who took time to attend. Last week’s blog and the conference theme was “Challenge Accepted”. Once the challenge has been accepted, action must follow. I recently had the privilege of meeting a former Navy Seal and heard a story of heroism and commitment which highlights what we, as God’s children must do.
This Navy Seal was tasked with protecting one of the leaders of the Iraqi government. Since his charge was a constant target for extremists, his job and that of his personnel, was incredibly difficult. This official was supposed to attend a meeting of utmost importance to the government. Unfortunately, just attending the meeting carried a serious threat of assassination. The second-in-command of the unit was given the responsibility of taking several other soldiers and securing a route to the location of the meeting.
After a brief time, the commander received a call from his second-in-command. With a background of enormous gunfire and explosions, but no conversation on the other end, the commander could only yell into the phone, “Abort, abort, abort!” After what seemed like hours, the second-in-command and his group returned. They had barely escaped the hostile forces. When the Iraqi official decided he had to attend the meeting, regardless of the consequences, the commander asked his second-in-command if he wanted to go back. “No,” was his immediate response. After a discussion between the commander and the official, the commander told his troops, “We don’t have a choice.” The second-in-command immediately replied, “When do we go?”
Isn’t that unbelievable? When faced with the challenge of a lifetime (and potential death), this man’s answer immediately went from “No” to “When do we go?” The human spirit is an amazing thing. Where do people get such courage? Where do they get such bravery? Where do people get such selflessness? Love. Love for their fellow soldiers. Love for those they protect. Love for their country. It’s the reservoir from which we draw our strength as well. How do we push forward toward our challenges, rather than running away from them? Love for our fellowman, our family, our God. We are capable of great things when doing them for the right reasons! A hero isn’t someone who is fearless. A hero is someone who acts in spite of fear. Our country’s history is full of such people. The history of God’s people is also full of such people. Follow Jesus’ example and be one of them!
Jesus said, on the night before his death, (Luke 22:42-43) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Jesus was able to overcome his fear because of his love for man. He acted! We are able to overcome our fear of changes and challenges for the same reason. Given the information we have, we now need to act. The angels will strengthen us!