Before we departed the US, when we arrived in Qatar, and then again three more times when we arrived in Iraq we were all told about General Order 1 A. It is the special regulations relating to our behavior while we are in the AOR or area of responsibility. The basic idea of this order is to keep people acting appropriately in a combat area, the orders include: no gambling, no cohabitating with the opposite sex, no alcohol, no pornography, no drug use, no going into Mosques, unless escorted by a Muslim, no bringing in personal weapons, no attending host nation executions. Then there is one that reminds me of Sesame Street “One of these things is not like the other.” General Order 1A j. “No proselytizing or attempting to win converts to any religion, faith, or practice.” I thought about this last one when I was doing my daily Bible reading. I was reading in the book of Matthew 11:6 “And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”

In the last couple of years there has been quite a bit in the news about sharing one’s faith in the Military especially in the Air Force. There was a scandal at the AF Academy because of sharing faith. There has been a recent change that Chaplains can no longer pray in Jesus Christ’s name at official events only during private ceremonies e.g., funerals. The last few years you have seen more and more Happy Holidays and less and less of Merry Christmas. Interestingly, a recent poll performed by Zogby showed that more people were offended by Happy Holidays than by Merry Christmas. There have been some great books written on the subject: The Name, by Franklin Graham, The Trouble with Jesus, by Joseph Stowell to name a couple. These books deal with the war against Jesus. In our society, as it is OK to talk about God and spirituality, Jesus is becoming increasingly off limits. It is almost always because of Evangelical Christians sharing their faith that issues arise. People are offended by people talking about Jesus, praying to Him in Public, and sharing what He has done for them and what He has to offer. Most of the people who are offended have probably not read Matthew. If we are not offended by Jesus, then we are blessed. I doubt that the offended people realize that their offence that seems so noble and so pluralistic, is actually keeping them from a blessing.

I sense that the blessings of God are slowly being removed from the US and I think it is in part due to the offence people feel toward His son, Jesus. I am in the military and have taken an oath to follow my leaders. So what does a person, who has a belief system that at the very core calls me to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, do in such a situation? In words attributed to St Francis of Assisi, I will “Preach the gospel at all times, and if absolutely necessary use words.” In 1 Peter 2: 12 it states, “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do evil, they may, by observing your good works, glorify God in a day of visitation.” And later in Peter he continues to encourage us. “And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you.” 1 Peter 3:13-15.

So do I have a problem with General Order 1A? Not really, I do not believe that I can “win converts” to Christ, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. My challenge is to be a light that shines hope.

More thoughts to come,

Solis Deo Gloria