Article by Scott C. Stevens, Pastor, Evangelist, and US Army Disabled Veteran

I remember going into the military straight from High School into the Army in 1990. At that time I was in my last year of high school in beautiful, sunny Florida. I was a three sport athlete and top of my class, yet not good enough in either to get a scholarship. I was following a Path I thought was right, yet was very uncertain. I came from a single parent home and my mother was working two jobs to support us, so I knew if I wanted to go to college, I had to “find a way”.

When I met with the Army recruiter he asked me “What are your plans, son?” and I told him that I wanted to go to college and play tennis. He said “the Army can help you with both”. He discussed the Army GI Bill and college plan and how I could “try out for the ALL Army tennis team” and if I was good enough, would “play on tennis courts around the world”.

Since I didn’t have a plan this sounded great. I was told the minimum time I could serve was 2 years active, 6 years reserve. But things don’t always go as planned, and at 19-years-old, I didn’t know that in August of 1990, during my first few days at Fort Dix in NJ, a war would start in the Middle East; The Gulf War 1990-1991 (Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm).

I no longer had a choice. I had shown up to basic training with my tennis racket which was quickly replaced with an M-16 and a new uniform. After 8 weeks of basic training, I was sent to APG for Ordinance School for twenty-five additional weeks to become a Tank Mechanic (63 H), and to continue to plan for a war that I didn’t want to be a part of, yet I was committed and determined. Soon I found a new plan that I thought was MY plan but God was controlling it all the way. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

I met a good mentor a short time later who was also the local Chaplain at APG, Maj Chaplain May. While counseling with him about the death of my mother and my plans for the future, he reminded me that “your plans will lead you down the wrong way in life”.

Proverbs 14:12-16 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death, yet, if I put my trust and Faith in God, He will lead me and guide me”.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. I knew this sounded better than my plan or the military’s plan. So I stopped running, started praying and asked God to take over. I found the peace and love I was always looking for and within six months met my wife at Fort Meade MD while my Buddle Buddy was in surgery and spoke to the nurses about God and His love.

My wife was looking for a Church and we soon fell in love, had three amazingly talented kids and a lifelong ministry filled with purpose, fulfillmen,t and direction.

Are you ready to receive peace? Are you looking for direction? Are you tired of trying it “your way” and looking for a better life? Then take the simple step towards God and He will meet you where you are. James 4:8 gives us an answer “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts…”

If you or your family needs any help on your next steps, feel free to reach out to me at Conowingo Baptist Church in Conowingo MD. We will “leave the Light on for you”. Blessings and may God lead and guide you to His Truth in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: https://www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine/