Go ask the Chief!
Friday marked the beginning of a new phase in my career in the Coast Guard. After seven long years of hard work and determination, God placed me in a position to receive a promotion to the greade of E-7, or Chief in the Coast Guard. Along the timeline of paygrades and military careers, the rank of E-7 brings a prestige unlike any other. It is at this point that you are no longer a junior Petty Officer, but now a Chief, a seasoned and experienced mentor in your field. You carry with you the tradition and ambience of a senior advisor to hundreds of Coasties. It’s a very important step, and one that defines so many people in their careers.
Now, I’m pretty young to be a Chief – I won’t lie. I’m only 24, and although that may rub some to think I simply hopped on a gravy train to my success, you can trust me when I say that the road wasn’t easy at all. I don’t particularly care for my age in this regard. I don’t even like to bring it up in conversation with other Coasties. Timothy encourages in his fourth chapter that we shouldn’t let others look down on us because we are young, but to make them believers in life, in love, in speech and in truth. I’ve made this the anthem of my career. I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words. How did I get his far? Simple. God showed me that putting others before me and being a genuine steward at work brings with it the most meaningful of rewards – respect. I knew that being young has its disadvantages, but I don’t believe God waits for some magical age to begin to use us in people’s lives, so why should we expect to do so? I can say that my success is not a result of my doing, but by God. Many a time have I considered throwing in the towel, getting discouraged by others who didn’t believe I could do it. I get so choked up to think that God chose to release His favor into my life this way. I am truly thankful for what He has done in my life as a result of it.
My peers were stoked about my advancement. Me – I was just blessed. The day finally came , and although I was feeling physically sick, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude to God, to those at work who were on my side, those who encouraged me, those who fought for me, my family, my friends and everyone in my life who’s made an impact to me. I can’t understand how I deserve this. I can only say that my God is so good, and that He NEVER failed me.
God is going to use me in the Coast Guard. He wouldn’t give this to me if He didn’t plan on it. Whether it’s helping my peers with their careers, or pouring into the lives my subordinates, I can’t wait to do this good work for Him and to see what He has in store next.
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