After nearly 40 years in the Air Force and State Department, I am looking forward to retirement in a few months. The biggest challenge I face is navigating through the bureaucracy it takes to bring my career to a close. When I return to Texas, I will settle into the life I have been looking forward to for many years. Another challenge will be to avoid slowing down too much. I need to find what the Lord has for me to do, in addition to being a better Christian, husband, father and grandfather.
There is a man who works with me that is facing different challenges. He is about my age and is also looking forward to retirement. After many years of living and working around the world, Terry and his wife Anna are making plans to serve as missionaries overseas. While I spend my Saturdays catching up on the news, watching Korean movies, and writing my stories, they have Bible studies. They are strong Christians and make me feel rather lazy and self-centered. He has mentioned a few challenges they have to overcome before they can follow their heart, but it seems they know where to find help.
Another challenge was recently added to Terry and Anna’s list. After experiencing weeks of pain in his eye, the Doctors’ found Terry has a tumor pressing against a nerve. He will soon be sent back to the US for treatment. I asked Terry a couple times at work if he has peace in this storm. He assured me that he does.
The same can’t be said for some of our co-workers. Yes, they have compassion for him and his situation, but don’t understand his peace. Tumors threaten life, health, and bring fear to their minds. Because Terry’s pain showed on his face, I had to explain that he is “alright” and has peace about this. When they heard of his storm, peace was the farthest thing from their minds. That gave me an opportunity to be a witness. I hope to have more opportunities to tell others about the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” (Phil 4:4, KJV). We can only have that peace because “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). Terry and Anna believe! GOD bless Terry and Anna.
Wayne Lance (2016)