Spiritual Readiness: A Call to Action

By The Rev. Nathan Ferrell, Rector

Spiritual readiness is the strength of spirit that enables each person to accomplish their mission with honor. Spiritual readiness is what being a Navy Chaplain is all about; it is our North Star. A Chaplain’s task is to empower each member to connect with their deepest sources, whatever those might be, to develop the resilience needed to overcome the toughest challenges that lie ahead.

For us in the Navy, that means preparing for war with China, and perhaps also Russia and North Korea at the same time. If you are not aware of this possibility or of what it means, I strongly encourage you to become informed about the tensions building around Taiwan and the South China Sea.

All of us want peace, but in this world that does not happen by simply wishing it to be so. The task of spiritual readiness then is of supreme urgency for Navy Chaplains as we prepare our Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen for the life and death struggle that may lie ahead.

Truth be told, this work of spiritual readiness belongs not just in the military, but to each one of us. All of us will face difficult challenges ahead. Whether these result from uncontrollable economic or climate changes, or from the natural course of aging and physical decline, there is no escaping the inevitable sufferings of life on planet earth.

So what is to be done? Complaining about these challenges will get us nowhere; neither will ignoring them. We cannot simply wish such things away. Our task, as people walking in the way of Jesus, is to develop our spiritual readiness with daily intention so that, when the struggle arrives, we are fully ready to face it, while continuing to give God glory and praise.

To accomplish our God-given mission with honor, even when we are suffering, means having the strength of spirit to continue loving and serving our neighbors in need, even when it feels like our life is falling apart. We can do that when we are confident in God’s goodness, no matter what our life circumstances might be. It means continuing to pray and worship our Creator and support the work of the Church, even when we might not feel like it.

Spiritual readiness is about having the will to do what is right, even when it is difficult, as well as the ability to overcome adversity in a moment of crisis. As Christians, we have everything we could possibly need to do this. We have the Holy Spirit, the local Church community, the wisdom and witness of the Saints, the grace of the Sacraments, the Holy Scriptures, and so much more! The only other thing needed is our personal commitment to put these things to use in an intentional and disciplined way. Will you do this, my friends?

Will you apply yourself each day to develop your spiritual readiness so that you may fulfill God’s mission in your life, no matter what comes your way? If you do this, I promise that you will not regret it.