When I sought the challenge of becoming a US Marine I knew that no mountain would be too high to climb (figuratively speaking). At Parris Island we did not have mountains to climb (Hollywood Marines [those who perform their basic training at MCRD San Diego] would be the first to tell you that), but the challenges were great and the Lord saw me through. I knew He would. It took me a long time to understand and fully trust God, but in the time before bootcamp I learned that complete trust in the Lord is vital. It is great to know that we can put our faith completely in The Lord and He will take care of His children. I think of Moses, David, and most anyone in the Old Testament, and I am rebuked by the amount of faith they had in God. Today we claim faith but cry mamma.
Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” What is our faith in today? I remember awaiting my arrival to Parris Island and my time there. My faith was completely in the Lord knowing He would protect me from the trials. Today we are living the dream, but is our dependence still on the Lord? I personally have found it easy to rely upon myself now that times aren’t as strenuous as being in bootcamp. Each day I pray that the Lord would keep me on my knees in full dependence on Him. We cannot do anything on our own strength. YouVerse was a blessing today because the verse of the day is Philippians 4:13.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
One of the coolest places to be is one step away from knowing God’s will. It is that step of faith that we must take, but are we willing to take it? In 2011, and even in the time prior, things were working out to where I knew the timeline of life. School, camp, bootcamp, training. Now it is all over and I am two steps away from knowing what is next. I am sitting here with no clear direction of the Lord’s will for the immediate future, but I am close to the point where I can take that step of faith into the future and His will. While I was counseling at the Wilds Christian Camp I was privileged to sing in a men’s group that sang the song titled Ever Faithful, Ever True. The two verses of the song from when I first heard it, to while I was singing it, even until now, have meant so much to me and summarize my life. I pray that it can summarize all the lives of God’s children.
Lord You have brought me to this place; Your hand has been my guide. I sought for wisdom from above, You graciously supplied. Your holy Word has been a lamp, a light unto my path. It saved me from the guilt of sin, and God’s eternal wrath.
The future lies before me now. By faith I will proceed. I know in time You will reveal the plans You have for me. For You are wise above all gods; Your ways are always best. So in Your sovereign will, O Lord, my silent heart will rest.
Ever faithful, ever true O Lord I long to be. Ever faithful, ever true, as You have been to me.
My God is sovereign and knows what He is doing. I am so glad I can trust in Him. As I look back in my life I see how the Lord used every event to lead up to where I am today. Seeing how He has worked in the past motivates me to live by faith today. I cannot get over the fact that God uses me though I am a total failure. I am just one example of His grace.
As previously noted I am not currently attending school at Bob Jones University because of extenuating circumstances. Back in December I was promoted to Lance Corporal and I am working hard to be promoted to Corporal. God has provided me a great job doing security at a plant in Simpsonville, SC. Please pray with me as I am shooting for Recruiters Aid at the Marine Corps recruiting station in Greenville. This will be a great opportunity to work with marines and to make more money than my current job.
What’s next for me and the Marine Corps? With budget cuts and various national hardships I honestly do not know. I want to go active duty one day and serve the rest of my career protecting America. The Lord is on my side and I know whatever my future holds is best. Praise God for being Creator, Redeemer, King, Master of everything, and my best friend. God is so good.
I like to end a lot of my notes with three important phrases:
Be strong. Love God. Love others.
rejoice.always
The Wild Ride 