They were seated in the middle and aisle seats of the row I was just about to sit in. I had the window seat. It was one of those great big planes with some of the exit rows having no seats in front of them with all kinds of room to stretch out and I was fortunate to have the window seat next to these two guys.
Both of them were dressed in their military sand colored camo fatigues. The one in the middle seat looked to be about forty and the one in the aisle seat looked way too young to be putting his life on the line. I assumed they knew each other.
The young man had his eyes closed and appeared to be sleeping as I sat down. The other gentleman said hello as he was pulling out his ipod. I assumed he didn’t want to be bothered so I sat down and waited for take off.
I was flying to Seattle that day so had a little work to do to prepare for some meetings but also brought along a movie. It was an uneventful flight and soon enough they said it was time to turn off all electronic devices as we began our descent.
As I packed everything away the soldier next to me asked me if I was headed home. I told him no and asked him the same thing. He was on his way home for three weeks leave. He was returning from Iraq.
I thanked him for his service and told him I couldn’t imagine what his life was like being in the military. He said I didn’t need to thank him. His job had him sitting at a desk far from the battles and pushing paper.
Then he said, “Here’s the guy you need to thank,” as he pointed to the young man seated next to him on the aisle. He was now awake and looked at me and nodded his head as if to say hello and not really knowing what we were talking about.
I asked if they served together. The young man was quiet but the man seated next to me said they had met for the first time in the Minneapolis airport just before we took off.
Then the man next to me said, “Do you ever see any of the news reports on tv about the war?” I nodded my head that I had. “This young man,” he pointed to the young soldier next to him, “is one of those soldiers who leads people into buildings having no idea what or whom they are going to find. He’s the guy who kicks the door in and goes in first.”
Immediately my mind went to my mental state that I had getting on the plane. My attitude was pretty whiney and poor me. I was tired of traveling and would have liked to stay home for a while. Perspective is a powerful thing.
I then thanked him for his service and asked how old he was. Twenty-one. I asked him what it was like to do what he did. He said, “I’m scared to death every time. It never gets easier.”
Prior to meeting this young man I would occasionally use the phrase “scared to death.” I don’t any longer.
I’m in the business of encouraging people to be courageous in things that are not likely to harm them physically in any way.
As you think about the fear you need to overcome, what might happen to you if you are courageous enough to attack it?
Think and process through the very worst thing that could happen you. Are you scared to death? Are you going to die or even get hurt physically?
Perspective is a powerful thing.
Joshua 1:9
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
