Late Night Lessons

I gotta say, I love it when Jesus is so stirring you on the inside that you can't sleep.

My desire and passion for his presence is increasing daily and I long to be a humble vessel used to show His love, power, compassion and mercy. I am realizing tonight, two days before I depart for basic training that really, truly, as a Chaplain I have nothing to offer. Yeah, that's right. Nothing.

What do I have to give a Vietnam Vet who was a "ghost" and who is tormented by the missions he accomplished and the lives he took as we sit and converse in a line to acquire military ID's? What will I have to give to the soldier who is contemplating broken over his wife who simply wants out of the marriage because he is gone too much? What do I say to the husband who is broken over the distance between him and his spouse as he sacrifices for his country?? What does one say to the soldier who has spilled blood for his country, only to have the government or the media shun him? What do I say? What words are there to "solve this problem?" Truly, there are none that the flesh can conjure up to satisfy the deep needs that each of these individuals are looking for.

I am acutely aware of my desperation of Christ as I write this article. I am keenly aware that my flesh longs for recognition, and accomplishments, and validation, and medals, and honor, and rank, and prestige and money and comfort. I am also keenly aware that I Aron Stephens have absolutely nothing to give. Sure, I have my theology and my books, and my degrees, but truly, what do I have? The ONLY thing I have is the ability to lean on Christ, to walk in meekness and humility. My flesh craves a platform, yet the spirit of Christ cries out for something greater than a platform, Virtue. A Virtuous life, lived in meekness, humility and submission to Christ. Then, perhaps, through years of obedience and self discipline the Lord might bring me to a place where my life speaks louder than my words, where my voice is lived out instead of heard, and where when my voice is lifted up, it carries weight, not because of rank, but because of character and a life spent "wasted" in prayer and before the Cross of Christ... soaking in His Love... His glorious life sustaining, abundant life giving love.

This is truly where I am. I am a man... embarking on a journey to become a soldier, to become a Chaplain, yet continuing on in my journey to become more like Christ. Along the way, I know I will encounter many soldiers who will have the opportunity to accept Christ, and that choice is theirs to accept freely, or to deny freely. That is what makes our country great... the ability to choose. So dear friends, I pray we all choose wisely. That we live each day with purpose and vigor, not despising the small things, but pressing onward in virtue and character so that our voices may be heard by the lives we live, and in the critical moments of life, through our lifted voice.

+IHS+

CH A. Stephens

Fire Begets Fire...