Be Where You Are: Finding Peace in the Present

What is the best duty station in the military?

“The one I just came from.”

What is the worst duty station in the military?

“The one where I am.”

When will all my problems be solved?

“In the next place.”

The temptation to think this way creeps up on all of us. It typically starts in boot camp. We romanticize about “back home” and how awesome it was. At the same time, we glorify the day when we arrive at our first “real” unit.

It happens on the home front as well. You married your high school sweetheart, who looked good in uniform. But when you’re finally able to be together, he’s always gone. So you think longingly of the times you had together in the past, and you dream about the day when he’ll finally “get out”.

This was a struggle of mine throughout my time on active duty. I looked back at the “good ole days,” and I longed for the next duty station and billet. When things were slow, I was bored. When things were fast, I needed a break. I spent far too much of my energy focused somewhere other than where and when I was.

Dear friend, fight against these temptations. Yes, they are common to all of us, but we must fight against them.

The Sovereign God of the Universe has you here; He has you now.

You are not back then. You are not back home. You are not there.

You are here.

You are now.

Meet God here and now.

Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually be where God has called you. And stay here until He calls you somewhere else.

Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the good works that He has for you here. And then walk in them.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 [ESV])

It took me far too long to learn this lesson. I pray that you will learn it sooner!

I love you guys,

Brian O’Day

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