All of my security strips away: I am torn from my community and discomfortably displaced from the routine I expected.  I have a passion for people and an irritation at the Christian’s lack of care.  My heart broke last summer when I realized the amount of people all around me that the church neglects, particularly my base.  I have influence there and I do shine a light for Christ; obviously He wants me to continue the work He began there.  I am His humble vessel.  I will wait on the Lord and I will rejoice in the things He has provided for me.  I am safe, I am happy, I am comfortable, and I am poor.  I am separated from my community at large, but I am united with God.  I must be more intentional now if I want encouragement from the Church.  I must ground myself in Christ, independent of theocentric organizations.  For the time being, I cannot serve the Church, but I can serve the lost.  I cannot pour myself into a ministry, but I can minister to the neglected.

I am committed to Christ, to the Gospel, and to the Church.  While my schedule may separate me from the Church, it does not disunify us.  My purpose is to spread the Gospel through demonstrating the love of Christ.  My assignment is Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.  I have been commanded to serve Christ through all I do, that He may be glorified through all my works.  He knows my work and He sees my struggle.  I hope in Him and my hope will not be put to shame.  He will fight for me, I need only be still.  I trust in Him as my provider and I believe He will deliver me in His time.

Serving Christ does not mean everything will immediately fall into place, but it does mean I am following a plan based on someone else’s knowledge and authority.  I need not fear, for the Lord my God is with me.  I will do everything in my power to love and to serve those around me.  I will use my influence at the Naval Weapons Station to fulfill God’s purpose.  I am here at this time for this reason.

I will rejoice in my humility.  I will accept help.  I will learn to let others love and serve me.  I will remember the importance of life and I will extend grace until my soul aches and groans.  I will learn to love: deeply, faithfully, and earnestly as God loves the world and Christ loves the Church.  I am ready for the unknown and I will embrace this season with thankfulness.  I will not wait for my hope: I will abide in hope and actively respond to God’s commandments.  I am not called to understand—I am called to obey amidst suffering.