Submarine (1980-1988 Retro Journal)
I' m on my fourth call; it would make no sense to explain how He lead me here without going through how He lead me in the other three epochs. Not having much hope of writing it all in one letter, I'll at least make a start.
For two years the US Navy put me through a series of schools so that I would be qualified to operate a nuclear power plant onboard a submarine. Sort of like an Associates Degree in practical nuclear engineering. The first of those two years, I began to follow Jesus. So when I arrived at the sub, I was a new believer.
The sub had two complete crews. Every three months (twice per year) we would fly over to Scotland (from CT) and relieve the other crew for a three month patrol. My off-crew time I spent with the Navigators, on the sub there were maybe two other open believers. In the off-crew, I would often spend free time at the submarine school, where the newcomers would show great respect. Usually, I would invite a group of them out to a pizzaria and share the good news on a napkin. Many would pray the prayer. On board, fellowship was scarce. After a season, I found that most of those who had said the prayer would later forget and deny Him in the fleet. They all had the same problem as I - no nurturing fellowship once onboard. Most of my friends from other ships would have to, "come up to speed, spiritually" after coming off patrol. I started to memorize whole bible books at sea.
A few years in, I reenlisted and had the opportunity for duty on shore - positions were opened at the submarine school where evangelism had been so easy. But how could I send believers out to be crushed in the fleet? I made the unusual decision to stay onboard, and asked Him to change my boat. And just around that time, He did. A newcomer from nuke school heard and believed. Another who first believed in sub school was assigned to our boat. Another hot believer was assigned to us. A group formed on the sub itself. Others saw and joined. It got to the point where the Captain or the 2nd in command would come to every meeting- just so that they could put an ear into what was going on. A new source of authority was onboard. I knew things were turned around completely when a crewmate, who attended a good church, towards the end of a patrol did not want to go back. He was afraid of losing the "spiritual momentum" he had gained at sea.
The sub had seemed to me a monolithic satanic tomb inside of which one might, by grace, survive, but certainly never thrive. It had become a spiritual garden under His grace, planting seeds and nurturing new believers. In the other epochs it became easy for me to believe that He could turn around ANY situation, for hopeless that it might seem at the outset. I had slain the lion and the bear - any uncircumsized Philistines that might loom would just have to suffer the same fate.
For two years the US Navy put me through a series of schools so that I would be qualified to operate a nuclear power plant onboard a submarine. Sort of like an Associates Degree in practical nuclear engineering. The first of those two years, I began to follow Jesus. So when I arrived at the sub, I was a new believer.
The sub had two complete crews. Every three months (twice per year) we would fly over to Scotland (from CT) and relieve the other crew for a three month patrol. My off-crew time I spent with the Navigators, on the sub there were maybe two other open believers. In the off-crew, I would often spend free time at the submarine school, where the newcomers would show great respect. Usually, I would invite a group of them out to a pizzaria and share the good news on a napkin. Many would pray the prayer. On board, fellowship was scarce. After a season, I found that most of those who had said the prayer would later forget and deny Him in the fleet. They all had the same problem as I - no nurturing fellowship once onboard. Most of my friends from other ships would have to, "come up to speed, spiritually" after coming off patrol. I started to memorize whole bible books at sea.
A few years in, I reenlisted and had the opportunity for duty on shore - positions were opened at the submarine school where evangelism had been so easy. But how could I send believers out to be crushed in the fleet? I made the unusual decision to stay onboard, and asked Him to change my boat. And just around that time, He did. A newcomer from nuke school heard and believed. Another who first believed in sub school was assigned to our boat. Another hot believer was assigned to us. A group formed on the sub itself. Others saw and joined. It got to the point where the Captain or the 2nd in command would come to every meeting- just so that they could put an ear into what was going on. A new source of authority was onboard. I knew things were turned around completely when a crewmate, who attended a good church, towards the end of a patrol did not want to go back. He was afraid of losing the "spiritual momentum" he had gained at sea.
The sub had seemed to me a monolithic satanic tomb inside of which one might, by grace, survive, but certainly never thrive. It had become a spiritual garden under His grace, planting seeds and nurturing new believers. In the other epochs it became easy for me to believe that He could turn around ANY situation, for hopeless that it might seem at the outset. I had slain the lion and the bear - any uncircumsized Philistines that might loom would just have to suffer the same fate.
posted by Terry at
5:17 PM
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