The Warrior

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1-2)

We are in Quantico, Virginia, for the graduation ceremony of Daniel Douglass, the youngest son of my wife, Genevieve Douglass-Beckham, and of the late Bob Douglass, Genevieve’s husband of 27-years, until his death, five years ago.  Bob was my best friend during the last years of his life.

Daniel is graduating from the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, as a 2^nd Lieutenant.  He was a Marine for six years previously, working his way up to Sergeant.  As part of his preparation for OCS, Daniel managed to complete his 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2 ½ years, while working full-time as a Marine.

There are many people who are troubled by the choice of a military career for a young man or woman.  The feeling is that the soldier, sailor, airman, or in the case of Daniel, a Marine; is a warrior, someone who is trained to kill people.  I am in the process of getting to know Daniel, and conclude that, yes, he would kill, but he would not commit murder – This is a young man who would act in the defense of his country; He would act on behalf of someone who has been attacked.

Daniel is, in my opinion, very similar in personality to his mother, Genevieve.  She is not the type to do anything half way – She has learned to research everything, and it is amazing the information she provides about situations we are about to encounter, such as this one in relation to Daniel.  A few days ago, she brought home a magazine called “Worldwide Challenge,” for Jan/Feb 2004, which contains an article called “Flight of Fancy,” about Major Dann Carlson, an Air Force pilot and a Christian, who is in the Air Force’s premier aerobatic flight team, the Thunderbirds.

Major Carlson said, “I want people to see Jesus in me, in the way I live, in my marriage and even in the way I fly.”  When he was a student in the Air Force Academy, he helped pioneer Campus Crusade’s Military Ministry there, as the first cadet leader at the Academy.  Daniel Douglass has been accepted into the Marine Corps flight program, and after OCS, he will be assigned to pilot training in Florida.

The other day, a package came to the door, containing materials which, as it turned out, were ordered by Genevieve.  Included were three books, including, “Taking the High Ground,” a group of stories about courage, on and off the battle field, by Col. Jeff O’Leary. Another was “Heroes at Home,” about military families, by Ellie Kay, who is married to an Air Force Pilot.  Daniel Douglass, by the way, has been married for five years.  The third book is called “130 Questions Children Ask About War and Terrorists.”  And finally, the package held a CD called “Supporting our Troops & Chaplains,” by Chaplain John Morris.

When I was a young man, it was fashionable to “question everything.”  Perhaps that attitude is even more prevalent now than it was then.  In my young adult years, it was considered questionable as to whether the military should even exist.  I did enlist, spending four years in the Air Force.  It was probably the most consistent discipline I received as a young person, and the experience was, on the whole, a good one.

Should a young person enter the military?  My own research led me through the Campus Crusade to “Military Ministries” on the Web, where I discovered a lengthy article on a Civil War General named Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.  He was shot through the hip and thought he was on his death bed when he wrote this farewell note: “My darling wife, I am lying mortally wounded the doctors think, but my mind & heart are at peace.  Jesus Christ is my all sufficient savior. I go to him. God bless & keep & comfort you, precious one, you have been a precious wife to me… do not grieve too much for me. We shall all soon meet. Live for the children… Oh how happy to feel yourself forgiven. God bless you evermore… Ever yours, Lawrence.”  Amazingly, he recovered and led his troops in the closing battles of the war.  He was a warrior and he also loved the Lord.

The Military Ministries website continued: Chamberlain was a “former professor of theology from Maine… who commanded troops in 24 battles and countless skirmishes, capturing 2,700 prisoners and eight battle flags, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  At Appomattox, he received the formal surrender of the Confederate infantry.  To everyone’s surprise, he ordered a salute of respect for his defeated foes… contributing to the healing of a wounded nation.”  There is healing in and from those who trust in the Lord.

I have for years been fascinated by the warriors in Scripture.  Abraham comes across as a man of peace, and yet in Genesis 14, we see that when his nephew, Lot, was taken captive, he assembled 318 men and went after the kidnappers, decisively defeating them.  David was not only a prophet, king, shepherd and song writer; but he was also a warrior – A very successful one and yet God delighted in David, calling him “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22).

In today’s Scripture, we find a man named Cornelius, a Centurion in charge of 100 Roman soldiers.  He truly loved the Lord, like Major Carlson, General Chamberlain and many others, including Lieutenant Douglass.  Cornelius the Centurion sent for Peter the Apostle, as we see in Acts Chapter 10, because an angel of God told him to.  A voice from heaven told Peter: GO to the house of Cornelius.  He went with some misgivings.  Peter ate with these Gentiles, spoke with them, and while he was speaking, “the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” (Acts 10:44).  God did not condemn Cornelius, the military man; instead He blessed him and his whole household with the Holy Spirit.

In the materials Genevieve has obtained, the concept is clear and consistent that many who are in the military feel they are called by God to be just where they are.  It’s a mission field and they prayerfully await God’s assignments.  It’s time that all of us view OUR circumstances as ordained by God.  Your job may well be your mission field.  And by the way, pray for those in uniform, for God intends they will protect – You!

Father, help us to understand that the choices we think we make in life are often ordained by God.  Let us view ourselves as missionaries, heaven-sent warriors in the service of the King.  And Father, we pray for those in authority over us and those assigned to protect us.  Bless them, help them, and keep them safe.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.