My army officer exhibited the exemplary traits of a Christian

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Recently I met my national service officer in one of my army mates wedding dinner. It has been at least 10 years that we did not meet each other since we left the army. I was an armour infantry while my officer was responsible to lead our platoon. He was a Christian then while I was not.

One of the most respectable traits that I observed of him then was I never heard him breathe even once a single word of profanity, even in the most stressful and physically demanding condition. We are in the combat service and things naturally get physically demanding due to the nature of our roles and responsibilities. While some people got away with doing administrative work in an air conditioned environment, we often have to do our bits of carrying heavy equipments and tottering for hours over unforgiving terrains. As a result, expressing unhappiness or frustrations through cursing and swearing were common among army personnel, even the quietest comrade. Sometimes vulgarities even got weaved unconsciously into our daily use of communication language. That is the reason why this officer shines among us. He spoke none of such words.

Personally I see that as a form of strength. At the same time, I thought to myself how he could control himself.

From the day we left army more than 10 years ago till we met again at the wedding recently, I received God into my life during this period. I could also now understand how he was able to keep away from speaking profanity during times of difficulty. It was the working of the Holy Spirit in him. Since then, I have always wanted to compliment him for exhibiting such exemplary the traits of godly living. And finally I got the chance to do so.

Steve