I feel like I've been challenged lately to be more bold about the Gospel. I'm bold about my faith, there's no doubt about that. Everyone knows that there are lots of things that I won't do, and there's no question about it. But when it comes to sharing my faith... That's a little different. I used to be fond of the quote that went something like "Go out and spread the Gospel... if you have to, use words." until someone pointed out how off that really is. Think about it. Say you lived a perfect Christian life, but never talked to anyone about it. Then what? Nothing! No one knows why you act like you do! No one knows why you did what you did! But if you live like you're supposed, and you speak to people about Jesus, it's powerful. I really think God has been trying to tell me this, because I've heard it at least twice in the past week. At Breakaway last Tuesday, a huge portion of what Ben said was about being bold and sincere with the Gospel. If you aren't sincere about the gospel, it's pretty obvious what kind of problems that can lead to. But you can be totally sincere about it, and if you aren't bold, nothing will happen! It won't go anywhere, because you aren't taking it there! If the Word of God is going to reach the people on the streets, someone needs to take it there! In addition to Breakaway, I was able to go to camp this Saturday (awesomeness), and we had a Bible study, which was about...yep, being bold with sharing your faith. Coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences. So, now I know what I need to do. It's hard, yes, but it can't possibly be harder than what I've gone through already. But I don't know what to do. I mean, how do I be bold? My buddies all know that I'm a Christian. I actually talked to the first sergeant today about this, among other things. He encouraged me to join a small group - something I'm definitely going to do - and talked to me a little about being bold. The only thing is, I still don't know what to do! How do I get the word out? Just go up to my buddies and say "Hey, let me tell you about Jesus"? Do I invite them to a Bible study or to church or something? Just pray for a conversation to head that direction? Take a conversation that direction? I don't really know. I feel like I do know, though. This is confusing...
Check out the Breakaway video of last week. Sorry, I don't have a video of the Bible study at camp. That would be cool...
http://breakawayministries.org/resources
-Profile of a Gospel Minister
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Driving Force
There's a big thing we have here in the Corps. Not everyone who joins has it, but everyone who makes it through does. Some people pick it up along the way. Some people have had it since high school. Some people were born with it. It can change. It can be pure or impure. There are different sources of it, and any person can have any number of sources. You can give it to others, but without losing any yourself. In fact, giving it is how some people get it. But the bottom line is, you can't make it through 4 years of Corps life without it. You just can't. I can't think of anyone who ever has. Someone would have to force you to go through with it. It won't run out if you have a good source, but once it's all gone, you better get some more fast, or else you're gone. Out. Punched.
At this moment, there are 20 sophomores in A-Battery. By Wednesday, there will be 19. Another buddy gone. One more down. We've had 32 fish come through A-Batt, calling themselves the class of '13. Almost half are gone. At times we feel like a small group of weary soldiers in a long war, our numbers dwindling as time wears on. Some of were forced out, but not very many. Yet even then, I don't think the Corps is too hard for anyone with enough of what I talked about to get through. That thing I was describing, you may have figured it out, or at least have an idea, is motivation. It's what drives you. In the corps, it's usually something like wanting to become a better person, or wearing the big senior boots, or having buddies, or marching on Kyle Field if you're in band. But it can be anything. One guy I know joined because he got in trouble, and it was either join the Corps or go to jail. Some people just want to get girls. Lots of cadets are contracted, promising to join the military after graduation. Some want the cheaper education, the leadership and discipline, or just the experience. Still others just join because of tradition, because of a parent, or a sibling. There are so many reasons to join, and reasons to stick with it. This obviously leads me to one question, which was asked of me recently: what's my motivation?
Well, you probably know that it started with my parents. I was an Aggie almost from birth, simply because my parents are Aggies. But as I grew up, I started liking the school based on my own opinions. I started wanting to be an engineer, and A&M's engineering school looked good to me. My brother went from being a longhorn fan to going to A&M, and joining the same Corps outfit as my dad. More reason to go, and now to join the Corps. The bass section is featured in the Aggie Band, so when I started playing tuba, guess what? Even more reason. By my junior year of high school, everything was pointing towards me going to A&M, and joining A-Battery. So, that's exactly what I did. I knew it would be hard, but I wanted the challenge.
But now? Now, everything's changed. Engineering? A&M, yes, but Corps? No way! Most engineers in the Corps change majors within their first year, and most of the rest change soon after that. My grades are pretty good, but they would probably be better outside of the Corps, and I'm behind on my degree plan because I can't fit enough classes into my schedule. My brother has "died," or basically graduated from the corps, so he's not here anymore. I'm just living in his memory. My dad actually punched before he even marched in a football game. Playing bass? The bass section is stupid now. I have to do all this extra stuff for stuff I don't even want, but I don't have a choice. Who cares if we're the hardest section in the band; it's pointless. So basically nothing that I joined for is any reason for me to stay in. So why am I still here?
It's for my buddies. Not like some people want buddies to hang out with for four years, or even a lifetime. I'm here for them, not because of them. I don't know how many of my buddies know Christ, or even know very much about Him, but I don't think it's very many. I may be the only example of a Christian they ever see. I may be the only one to tell them about Him, to show them His love, to try to live a life like He did. If their image of a Christian is someone who goes to church on Sunday, after drinking and cussing with his buddies the night before, I may be the only one to shatter that image. If they think Jesus was just some guy who was born on Christmas and got presents for it, I may be the only one to tell them who He really is. Maybe they'll meet other Christians. Hopefully they will. But they say your fish buddies will "marry you and bury you." For most who join the Corps, you don't ever find a friend closer than a buddy. But if going through four years of this can give even one person a Friend who is, then that's more than enough motivation for me.
At this moment, there are 20 sophomores in A-Battery. By Wednesday, there will be 19. Another buddy gone. One more down. We've had 32 fish come through A-Batt, calling themselves the class of '13. Almost half are gone. At times we feel like a small group of weary soldiers in a long war, our numbers dwindling as time wears on. Some of were forced out, but not very many. Yet even then, I don't think the Corps is too hard for anyone with enough of what I talked about to get through. That thing I was describing, you may have figured it out, or at least have an idea, is motivation. It's what drives you. In the corps, it's usually something like wanting to become a better person, or wearing the big senior boots, or having buddies, or marching on Kyle Field if you're in band. But it can be anything. One guy I know joined because he got in trouble, and it was either join the Corps or go to jail. Some people just want to get girls. Lots of cadets are contracted, promising to join the military after graduation. Some want the cheaper education, the leadership and discipline, or just the experience. Still others just join because of tradition, because of a parent, or a sibling. There are so many reasons to join, and reasons to stick with it. This obviously leads me to one question, which was asked of me recently: what's my motivation?
Well, you probably know that it started with my parents. I was an Aggie almost from birth, simply because my parents are Aggies. But as I grew up, I started liking the school based on my own opinions. I started wanting to be an engineer, and A&M's engineering school looked good to me. My brother went from being a longhorn fan to going to A&M, and joining the same Corps outfit as my dad. More reason to go, and now to join the Corps. The bass section is featured in the Aggie Band, so when I started playing tuba, guess what? Even more reason. By my junior year of high school, everything was pointing towards me going to A&M, and joining A-Battery. So, that's exactly what I did. I knew it would be hard, but I wanted the challenge.
But now? Now, everything's changed. Engineering? A&M, yes, but Corps? No way! Most engineers in the Corps change majors within their first year, and most of the rest change soon after that. My grades are pretty good, but they would probably be better outside of the Corps, and I'm behind on my degree plan because I can't fit enough classes into my schedule. My brother has "died," or basically graduated from the corps, so he's not here anymore. I'm just living in his memory. My dad actually punched before he even marched in a football game. Playing bass? The bass section is stupid now. I have to do all this extra stuff for stuff I don't even want, but I don't have a choice. Who cares if we're the hardest section in the band; it's pointless. So basically nothing that I joined for is any reason for me to stay in. So why am I still here?
It's for my buddies. Not like some people want buddies to hang out with for four years, or even a lifetime. I'm here for them, not because of them. I don't know how many of my buddies know Christ, or even know very much about Him, but I don't think it's very many. I may be the only example of a Christian they ever see. I may be the only one to tell them about Him, to show them His love, to try to live a life like He did. If their image of a Christian is someone who goes to church on Sunday, after drinking and cussing with his buddies the night before, I may be the only one to shatter that image. If they think Jesus was just some guy who was born on Christmas and got presents for it, I may be the only one to tell them who He really is. Maybe they'll meet other Christians. Hopefully they will. But they say your fish buddies will "marry you and bury you." For most who join the Corps, you don't ever find a friend closer than a buddy. But if going through four years of this can give even one person a Friend who is, then that's more than enough motivation for me.
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