Today's Devotional

October 24, 2002

Subject:  Worthy To Be Called Marine

Luke 17:10 - "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do."

Have you ever had the experience where you've lived out a biblical principle and didn't even know it?  It's quite exciting!  Here's my experience based on the verse above.

As a young Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, I was really motivated to wear the title "Marine".  I remember my Officer Candidate School buddy, Elmer Cherry, and I taking every chance we could to wear our new Dress Whites or Dress Blue uniforms to church or to some function that showed our Marineness.  After serving my first couple of tours, when asked to write myself up for an award, I always responded, "Sir, I'm an officer of Marines.  Anything that I did in my position, I should have done.  I don't deserve an award for that."  I maintained this attitude all the way through the rank of Major until I was once threatened by my boss about not writing my award to be recognized.  Therefore, I had served for about 14 years without ever having received a single personal award.  Even today people look at me kind of strange as a Lieutenant Colonel, because I'm probably the most senior guy around with so few personal awards.  Strange how that happens.

I realize now that I apply that to my life as a believer also.  When we do what God has told us to do, we don't feel deserving of an award.  It's simply a privilege that we get to serve Him and because of that, others often benefit.  When God gives us a purpose and a mission, people don't have to pay us to do it.  we do it willingly and seek no reward.  Although one may come, we look forward to that which He will give us in eternity.  After all, as believers, whatever we have done, it was our duty to do.  For us, it's a privilege and that's what makes us worthy to be called "Christians".

Carlen