When God calls, you better listen. If you don’t, things will get rough because He won’t let up. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way. When He places a calling on your life, the best thing to do is to humbly say, "Yes, sir. Show me the way. Give me the tools, and I’ll get it done." Resist it, and you’ll quickly find out that arguing with God is not an option.
I’ve been on this journey for a while now, and I need to take a moment to acknowledge the role of godly leadership in my life. Our pastor—what a man of God! He talks to God, listens to Him, and prays without ceasing. When you have a pastor like that, watch out—God is going to take the church places. Leadership like that leads from the front, not the rear, and it’s contagious.
God communicates with us in countless ways: through circumstances, blocked paths, dreams, feelings, nature, even music. But first, He has to get our attention. Sometimes, we miss it, but He never stops speaking. I’ve often wondered how many times God has protected me without my knowledge—shielding me from dangers I never saw or even knew existed. I serve an amazing God who watches over me even when I’m oblivious.
I remember enlisting in the military straight out of high school. As a kid, I dreamed of being a Green Beret, inspired by the John Wayne classic, The Green Berets. But when I told people, they dismissed it: "That’s too tough. You’ll never make it." Even the recruiter tried to steer me toward something else. But I was determined.
Two years of grueling training later, I made it. But back then, it was all about me—my accomplishments, my goals. God wasn’t part of the equation. But He had a plan, even if I wasn’t aware of it. He placed me in situations that I could only overcome through His strength.
One defining moment came years later during a mission in the Sinai Peninsula. Our helicopter went down at 87 miles per hour, rolling three times on impact. When I regained consciousness, I was hanging upside down, trapped in the wreckage. I couldn’t feel my legs and thought they were gone. But God’s hand was on me. The helicopter didn’t explode, though it easily could have. The pilot had the presence of mind to cut the power, likely saving all of us. I survived—barely—but it wasn’t my time yet. God wasn’t done with me.
In the aftermath, as I lay in a coma in Beersheba, Israel, I felt God speak to me. He told me He had plans for me, though at the time, I wasn’t even a believer. That experience shook me to my core. When I woke up, I realized the chaplain’s words were true: being a “good person” wasn’t enough. I needed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
It wasn’t long before I surrendered my life to Him, and everything changed. God began to open doors and show me the purpose He had for my life. One by one, I saw how He was using me—not for my own glory, but for His.
One particularly powerful moment came during a fitness test. I wasn’t supposed to pass due to my injuries, but I prayed, gathered the soldiers, and motivated them to run together in formation. Not only did I pass, but every soldier in that group succeeded as well. Leadership isn’t about yourself—it’s about inspiring others through God’s strength.
Later, God laid it on my heart to help a widow in our community whose husband had passed away. His last wish was for his wife to have a new kitchen floor. I prayed, and God provided everything we needed to make it happen. It wasn’t about the floor—it was about showing love and fulfilling a simple, heartfelt wish. God doesn’t need grand gestures; He needs willing hearts.
Over the years, God has led me through countless challenges, each one shaping me for His purpose. Whether it was anointing Humvees in Iraq, starting Soldiers for Christ Ministries, or simply sharing my testimony, I’ve learned to trust Him fully. When God speaks, listen. He’s always working, even when we don’t understand.
I stand here today, humbled and thankful for His mercy and grace. My journey is far from over, but I know that every step is guided by His hand. Whatever He calls you to do—big or small—just say, "Yes, Lord." Trust me, you won’t regret it.