What It's All About
March 19, 2003

Pastor Chuck Roots has been called away from Ripon Free Methodist Church to active duty as a Navy chaplain to the U.S. Marines. Click here to see his photo album.

Have you ever noticed how the phrase, “That’s what it’s all about,” is overused today? Every organization has some idea of what this means. For example, NFL football players who reach the Superbowl in January can be heard during an interview to intone, “This is what it’s all about!” This is spoken reverently while the player looks around the stadium packed with rabid fans, TV cameras and all the hoopla.

Well, those of us in ministry have a moment where everything you work for comes together. Such an experience occurred for me this morning.

It all began a few nights ago when I was telling the Lord that, though I’m tickled to be serving him on active duty at this time, I miss the opportunity of leading someone to Christ. You see, at my rank, my responsibilities as a chaplain are almost entirely administrative.

So, yesterday this sergeant major from a recently activated Marine unit walked into my office. She asked if I would come and share some words of peace and comfort with her Marines before they ship out in a few days. Well, that’s like saying, “Sic’m” to a dog!

This morning the Marines were assembled on bleachers at the end of my building. The sergeant major introduced me, mentioning I was a former Marine staff sergeant and Vietnam vet. That elicited an “Oorah!” [see "Oorah, Sir!", 11 Dec 02] from the Marines. I spoke to them for fifteen minutes, sharing my testimony. I told them about committing my life to Christ while in the Marines and how my life was changed.

Afterward, several Marines came up to speak with me. One sergeant thanked me for sharing my faith so directly. He told me he loves Jesus and that his wife back home is a minister. He mentioned that just last night a Marine in his squad asked him why he prays over his meals in the mess hall. He wanted to know to whom he was praying! I told him the Lord has opened a door for him to share his faith with this Marine. I prayed for him and then hugged him.

Then another Marine, a corporal, approached me, sharing how hard it was for her to be away from her family. Her husband is home with their two-year-old daughter, who was just hospitalized with asthma. My heart just breaks for these folks at a time like this. The same difficulties and stresses everyone else faces are merely compounded for our men and women in uniform, especially during a time of war. I prayed for her and her family, and specifically for her daughter, Dena. As is my custom, I hugged her.

Ah! Then came the moment. God answered the longing of my heart. Another sergeant stepped forward. He shared briefly how he’d been trying to come to faith, but just didn’t seem to be able to make the connection. If ever I’ve seen an open and honest seeker, it was this man. It reminded me of Jesus with the Centurion. This Marine was stuck, believing he had to have some mystical experience for all of it to be real. I assured him that our salvation rests not on our emotional experience, but on God’s word. I asked if he’d like to pray the sinner’s prayer with me and he said, “Yes!” It was glorious! I hugged him. Heaven was throwing a party that makes the Superbowl pale by comparison!

And just like Peter bringing his brother Andrew to see Jesus, this Marine asked if he could bring his brother to see me. His brother is also a Marine with another command right here at Camp Pendleton!

And that’s what it’s all about!