Hello, Everyone. This is Chaplain Sung Kim. I am Deputy CMD CH in the 63d Readiness Division. I pray you are well.
I have a problem when I go to the store. Here are just too many choices. I want to buy some cheese, but I have to decide what kind of cheese. I went to Google-how many cheeses are there in the world? And I found 670 kinds of cheese. A complex variety of choices is the bane and blessing of the American lifestyle. There are hundreds of channels on satellite and cable TV. People who come here from other countries are paralyzed by the choices in an ordinary Wal-Mart. So many choices!
How do you find your way in a world where there are so many choices? A lot of people make decisions according to how they feel. Decisions are largely made on the emotional level. They are guided by what feels like the right thing to do. Others try to make rational decisions. They inspect everything and read all the labels. They spend a lot of time checking out things to make sure they have made the right decision.
Making everyday choices can be difficult, but the bigger decisions can be incapacitate us even more. So, this morning, I want to concentrate on the larger issues of setting the course and direction of our lives.
Jan of 2009, I was supposed to be assigned to Korea. But somebody dragged me to go to Fort Riley, KS. It was unpleasant assignment without right position for my future career. Our division chaplain was looking for a volunteer to deploy in Afghanistan because the BN Chaplain was resigned his duty in deployment. It was very unusual. I did pray and made a decision to be deployed in Afghanistan. During this deployment, I lost 8 Soldiers through combat operations that I provided Pastoral care and Counseling with Clinical Pastoral Education Skills for Soldiers and later for their Family members. A chaplain should be there for Soldiers. I don’t regret what I made a decision to be deployed for the unit that does not have a chaplain in deployment. That experience made me who I am now.
Have you ever been on a night hike? It is a whole new experience in the woods. Because all you have is a flashlight, and you cannot see except for a few feet ahead of you. But as you step into the light, the light advances and you have enough light to take another step. When we are faithful in taking one step, we are given enough light for another.
Do you want to start making successful choices that will continually move you in the direction of your dreams? Decision-making plays a major role in the way events unfold in our lives. The daily decisions we make, create our own personal reality. And our decisions shape who we are as individuals. Most of us are programmed to make decisions based on fear, low self-esteem, and a lack of will poser. Luckily, it’s scientifically proven to be possible to reprogram your brain for higher levels of consciousness.
Decisions shape our destiny. The wrong decisions can lead you down the wrong path, whereas the right decisions can lead you down the right path. Learn from your bad decisions and improve upon them, as your daily decisions determine the life that you will live.
“Unsuccessful people make decisions based on their current situation; successful people make decisions based on where they want to be.”
The Bible gives us this great assurance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). It is not all up to us. God is watching over us. What that means is that even if we should make a mistake, the grace of God is big enough to cover it. All is not lost.
May God bless you and keep you in His wisdom.
Have a blessed day. Blood and Fight!
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