Ensign Michael Luallen

Tomorrow is the big day. I finally commission as a full Naval Officer. It has been the biggest nightmare ever with paperwork, physical assessments, Secdef approval, and miles of other red tape, but I'm here.

I thought I would take the time and reflect on what Ive learned, and what it means to me to be a minister and officer in the worlds finest Navy.

1) The advocacy of Christ is largely disregarded in my own faith, and the faith of the affluent American church.
There is no other boast we have save that Christ is our advocate. To serve others and shoulder burdens for the long term, to truly lay down our lives, permanently, is something that has been lost in the church. With all my frustrations with the government I had two incredible chaplains fighting for me and representing me, and asked only that I would serve our sailors in the same way that they were serving me. I am given rank not for my own good, but that I would have the power to do good for others and represent the lowest seaman apprentice who feels as though his voice was lost. We all have that power in Christ.

2) I am called for a purpose, Gods purpose.
In all of my roadblocks to becoming an officer I learned that I was doing this not for the glory of the uniform, or the comfort of the government benefits, but rather because I was called to minister to sailors and marines. It has meant everything to know my calling and my purpose. It has given me strength and resolve at school and through work. I pray that I will remain faithful to the mission that God has put on my life and that He would finish the work that He has started in me. I feel so blessed to be called and have a purpose and it is my prayer that God reveals to all of his elect what their purpose is. If you don't know now, you will, so take heart, because we all were created to fulfill the will and ends of God.

and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

3) I am a part of something larger than myself and my wants.
October 13, 1775-Navy Birthday. John Paul Jones- Father of the American Navy. November 11, 1775- Marine Corps Birthday. Chesty Puller- only Marine to receive 5 Navy Crosses. Bloodstripe- Red stripe on Marine uniforms to symbolize the blood of those who died at Chapultepec...

I could go on with information I have to know for OIS. But needless to say I'm serving something that is beyond myself, my nation, or my era. When I put on the Navy Uniform I represent something bigger than myself. More importantly, when I put that cross on my collar I represent the most important thing of all. The redemptive work of God in the world. I am a part of a priesthood of believers across time. God has ordained me (and all believers) to go and preach His word and has promised that He will be with us always in that mission. This isn't about me, so I will go where God wants me to go.

4) Spiritual warfare is real, and is happening now, all over the world.
Sailors, Marines, chaplains, doctors, and civilians all over the world are being confronted with sin that we are isolated from on a daily basis. Sin that isn't personal, but is a result of a fallen world. They cry out and struggle with things unimaginable to me and most of us here in the states. I fear being there, I fear seeing kids being hurt, I fear having to pray for a fallen Marine and not knowing who he was or anything about him, and I fear the truth that I dont understand on this side of the cross that I must give to his buddies. God must be bigger than we can imagine because Ive heard the stories of unimaginable and unexplainable sin. As much as I fear those things, it is that fear that makes me run to God, which I wish I did more anyway.

God MUST be bigger than we can fathom. Because he deals with this sin. He is redeeming His creation. And His Kingdom WILL come and will be on earth as it is in heaven.

Praise God.