Hello Everyone, This is Chaplain Sung Kim. I am Deputy CMD CH in the 63d Readiness Division. I pray you are well.
Joshua Liebman says, “Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long-term values.”
If we are to find life; if we are to experience maturity; if we are going to become whole and healthy, we have to follow these principles. We have to stop whining that life is hard and begin the process of doing what is necessary in order for life to work. There is no easy way. Life is difficult. It is a series of problems and challenges. But God has given us the resources to become whole — if we are willing to do the hard work of facing and finding life.
You may remember the story of Aron Ralston, the 27-year-old from Colorado who was rock climbing in Blue John Canyon in southern Utah. He was climbing, a 200-pound boulder fell in the slot and pinned his arm against the rock. He tried everything he knew to get his arm from under the rock, but nothing worked. After running out of water and being pinned for five long days and nights, he realized that if he was going to survive, he would have to take drastic action. Using a small pocketknife, he amputated his arm below the elbow and applied a tourniquet. After he was free, he hiked downstream until he was spotted by a Utah Public Safety Helicopter and rescued. He was in a hard place and he had to do a hard thing.
You may be facing a difficult decision. It may be about your health. It may be financial. It may be about your family. It may be about your marriage, It may be a decision about your moral and spiritual life. It may be that something drastic has to be done. It may be painful, but it must be done. Pray for strength and get out your pocketknife.
Most people don’t take music lessons, practice and keep at it because it is difficult. But they are the ones who have the freedom and pleasure of being able to play an instrument well.
Most of us don’t eat well and get enough exercise because it is difficult. It is so much easier to eat anything you want and relax.
I believe it was Mark Twain who said that when the urge to exercise came over him, he laid down until it went away. But the ones who do eat well and get enough exercise feel better, look better and have the freedom to do more things.
Life belongs to those who are willing to do the difficult thing, to be disciplined, to those who make sacrifices, and suffer if necessary, in order to accomplish their goals. They are persistent and tenacious. They never take their eye off the goal. Successful people are those who are those who are willing to do what the unsuccessful are unwilling to do.
Paul knew this, and he was willing to go against the majority, for he said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Have a blessed day. Blood and Fire!
Here is the direct email and phone number for anyone requesting support from the 63d RD Chaplain office,
usarmy.usarc.63-rsc.list.chaplain-all-users@mail.mil
650-526-9668