How Has Spiritual Readiness Impacted my Military and Civilian Service?

(Note: This article was published on The Institute for Faith, Work & Economics in two parts. Click here for part one and here for part two.)

Did you know that the U.S. Army considers spiritual development to be a priority for Soldiers?

Recently, the command chaplain at the military post where I work challenged me to familiarize myself with the U.S. Army Field Manual on Holistic Health and Fitness. Among the topics presented, it specifically addresses five domains of fitness: physical, nutritional, mental, spiritual, and sleep.

The domain of spiritual readiness, according to chapter 10, “develops the personal qualities a person needs in times of stress, hardship, and tragedy. These qualities come from religious, philosophical, or human values and form the basis for character, disposition, decision making, and integrity.”

The chaplain asked me to consider how I might use this U.S. Army doctrinal publication in a leader development session in the near future where I might share my personal experiences on how I developed and expressed my own spiritual readiness over the past 35 years of active federal service.

My desire is to inform leaders how I integrated my Christian faith at work, how my relationship with God gave me a higher sense of purpose, and how the spiritual domain of holistic health and fitness enabled me to meet the challenges of Army life. In doing so, I hope to be able to encourage leaders to develop spiritual readiness in their Soldiers.

Integrating my Christian faith at work

In the chapter on spiritual readiness, we are informed that “People enhance their spiritual readiness through reflection and practice of a lifestyle based on the personal qualities they need during times of stress, hardship, and tragedy.” It is clear that faith starts internally, and then flows outward.

By the grace of God, I practiced my Christian faith openly, wherever the Army sent me, not just by being “religious” on holy days or once a week, but by being a believer who walked the walk daily:

• I obeyed God’s Word and modeled biblical values (which did not conflict with Army values)
• I submitted to my employers, knowing who it was I ultimately worked for
• I loved my neighbor by meeting his/her needs (i.e., trained Soldiers, maintained weapons and other technical equipment, planned major events, and advised senior leaders)
• I fellowshipped and studied the Bible with other believers in lunchtime Bible studies
• I shared my faith with those who asked me why I am so different; more often, I shared my faith without words by doing my work as unto the Lord
• I supported chaplains throughout my career; I have actively participated in chapel services and values-based education programs such as prayer breakfasts, couples and men’s retreats, and Wednesday night family dinners and Bible studies here at Fort Leonard Wood

A higher sense of purpose

In the introduction to this chapter on spiritual readiness, we read, “Spirituality is often described as a sense of connection that gives meaning and purpose to a person’s life.” As I entered the Army in 1986, my own sense of God’s presence gave me a reason to serve, and has guided me ever since.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I read about His life of selfless service (which is one of the Seven Army Values). He washed the disciples’ feet and willingly went to the cross to offer up Himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. As a result, I learned to selflessly put others before myself as a Soldier and Department of the Army (DA) Civilian. (I often remind my team, “It’s not about Russ; it’s about us.”)

Just over ten years ago, I felt led to pursue a seminary master’s degree program to be a better Sunday School teacher. In an independent study on the theology of work, I noticed a connection between God’s presence and human work which I call Immanuel labor. I learned that God was working with, in, and through men and women in the military to do His justice work (i.e., defending the innocent, righting wrongs, and bringing peace) in this world among those whom He loves.

Strength to meet the unique challenges of Army life

Let me share another quote from the manual. Leaders need to know that “Identifying one’s purpose, core values, beliefs, identity, and life vision defines the spiritual dimension. These elements, which define the essence of a person, enable one to build inner strength, make meaning of experience, behave ethically, persevere through challenges, and be resilient when faced with adversity.”

Throughout my 20 years on active duty, my Christian faith definitely helped to make me a more ethical and resilient Soldier. Knowing God was present with me gave me strength to do the right things when tempted to cut corners, take shortcuts, or violate regulations. It also gave me personal courage and endurance while working long night shifts during division and corps level warfighter exercises, company field training exercises, and in two unaccompanied tours to Korea.

As I have tried to consistently seek the Lord’s guidance by reading His Word, I was confronted with the principle that Christian workers were to submit to the authority of their supervisors, knowing that it was Jesus whom they ultimately worked for. (See Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22-24.) Applying this was not always an easy task for me. There were many times I just had to trust that God had a plan.

My faith in God also enabled me to experience peace whenever it was time to relocate to a new duty station. My wife and I understood that God was in control of every move and that I could trust Him wherever I was sent. I knew that He had a purpose for us in going there. In my current DA civilian job, God has given me contentment over the past 15 years while my leaders and Soldiers come and go.

Help your Soldiers develop spiritual readiness

I am hoping that as I described my personal experiences in practicing and developing my own spiritual readiness while serving as a Soldier and Civilian that you can recall many others who are just like me, some of whom are serving in your formations even now.

Let me close with another quote from chapter 10 of this helpful field manual. “Unit leaders foster spiritual readiness by providing space in schedules, battle rhythms, and training plans for individual self-development to include the spiritual dimension. Unit and organizational leaders can encourage spiritual readiness by discussing the spiritual dimension or spiritual development goals in developmental counseling, individual development plans, or their leadership philosophies.”

I encourage all leaders, regardless of your background, to give time and space for your subordinates to develop their spiritual readiness. It is in your best interest to have Soldiers and civilians working for you who are committed to integrity, who take their God-given responsibilities seriously, and who have the spiritual resources to handle the many stresses of living and working in a military environment. You need team members who know how to get along, care for each other, and submit to your leadership. You want to develop humble leaders who lead and serve just like Jesus did.

Finally, I ask you to fully support and lean on your unit chaplains. They are a combat multiplier. They can help your Soldiers to get and stay connected with God so that they can consistently experience His presence even during the hardest of times, which you know will eventually come.

Let me close with an appropriate Scripture. We like to say here that there is victory through skill. Although this is true, sometimes human strength alone is just not enough. We read in Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” A Soldier, DA Civilian, or Family member who has faith has a source of strength that never runs dry.

(Note: If you are interested in reading more about how I experienced God’s presence throughout my Army career as a Soldier and DA Civilian, I encourage you to check out a two-part article I wrote two years ago in preparation for a podcast interview. Click here for Part 1 and click here for Part 2.)

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 42 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He is passionate about helping people with ordinary jobs experience God’s presence at work. Russ received a B.S. in Mathematics from Colorado State University in 1980 and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is a former junior/senior high school math teacher and youth minister. He served for 20 years on active duty and has worked for the past 14 years as a Department of the Army civilian at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Since 2015, he has written 200 articles on faith and work topics. Over 100 of these articles have been published on several Christian organization’s websites, including: the Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University, Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine. (See list of published articles on Linktree.)