As I am “short” I have thought about this in terms of my own activities. A recent event that I was involved in highlights this point. As a flight surgeon one of our responsibilities is to respond to in-flight emergencies. The other day I responded to a call for a crew chief that had his ring finger almost shot off while inside the plane. An insurgent on the ground was shooting as the plane as it was preparing to land and one of the bullets made it into the fuselage and tore through the soldier’s finger before being stopped by his flak vest. Our ambulance pulled up to the taxiway just as the plane was taxing off the runway. The door flew open and out jumped a soldier holding his hand wrapped with a rag. He marched towards us and it was easy to tell by the way that he was walking that he was mad. As he approached us I could see a green cloth from the first aid kit that was absorbing most of the blood, although there was a trail of the red stuff from the rag to his elbow. As I reached him, he released a litany of expletives about what he wanted to do to the “person” who shot his finger off. As I looked at the hand it was easy to see that one finger was not where it was supposed to be and had a dull purple hue to it. We quickly got him in the ambulance and then to the hospital where he received pain medication and the orthopedic surgeons quickly attended to his hand. The good news is that they were able to save the finger and this soldier was able to walk away after being shot.

So should I avoid flying? That would decrease my risk of someone shooting at me; but also decrease my chance of giving aid to someone on the plane or helicopter. Should I only walk by the large concrete T-barriers that are set up to protect our trailers or maybe spend all of my free time in my trailer with my body armor on? That would decrease my risk of being hit by mortars and rockets, but would limit who I would be able to encourage through recreation and conversation. It seems that acting like I am “short” and changing my behavior to protect myself is to become self-centered. It also presupposes that my actions will change when God decides to take me home. What verse comes to mind regarding this situation? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

How do I want to complete the last weeks of this deployment? I would hope to be able to speak as Paul spoke, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me the on that day-and not only to me, but also all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8

Soli Deo Gloria