Shaun Groves
I spent the last couple days in Annapolis, Maryland at the United States Naval Academy teaching, singing, and learning.
Our boss for the week, and new friend, Chaplain Brian Weigelt took us out to breakfast yesterday at Chick and Ruths Deli. While I savored my crab and veggie omelet, arguably the best breakfast I’ve ever put in my mouth, Brian taught us how to be courageous and what makes a marine so special.
Not long ago, a dinner was held for all midshipmen at the Academy who were being appointed to the Marine Corps. A three-star Admiral addressed them, Brian said. He told them fear is a natural response to danger – an emotion. But courage, the Admiral said, is an action carried out when that fear is overruled by an even greater emotion. There is only one that is more powerful than fear, he said, and that’s love.
“Perfect love drives out fear,” the Admiral quoted.
According to him, the greatest asset a sailor has is his ship. Don’t give up the ship, the Navy says.
The greatest asset of a marine, said the Admiral, is his fellow marines.
“So start loving your marines now,” he said.
JessicaB says:
Love IS a powerful weapon. It’s impossible to fight against. That’s why it’s the only way to save a marriage, I think.
P.S. I get a little nostalgic every time you go to Maryland. I miss living in that area. : (
Adam says:
Wow, this is so great. I watched this Francis Chan video yesterday…
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/think-hard-stay-humble-the-life-of-the-mind-and-the-peril-of-pride?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d05a30f65ad16ae%252C0
…and as he talked about love vs. knowledge…I finally grasped what I had been feeling for so long. To see that, then to hear this story of an Admiral that has experienced the power of love…how amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Daniella says:
As a wife of a Marine, I really apreciate this post. The town of Annapolis is one of my favorite spots in the World. Keep doing your thing, Shaun! I enjoy (among other things) reading your blog.
Megan @ Faith Like Mustard says:
I need to focus more on the perfect love because I’ve got way too much fear in my life.
seekingpastor says:
For some reason I started singing the theme song to The Love Boat in my head. To much TV as a child.
shayne says:
My son wants to be a Marine. Has wanted to be one ever since he was little.
That simple explanation made the light bulb above my head go on. Great post.
Thomas Dalke says:
Love is what Christians are called to do, above all else, including exercising Spirit gifts and or doing good works, love triumph’s over and trumps them all (1 Cor. 13). For it is the first fruit of the Spirit of God and thus it is to be source of them all. That Admiral in saying that only love is a greater emotion then fear makes an excellant point. For if fear dictates how we live and how we respond to people then as the Apostle John wrote we are not being made perfect in love. I think fear unchecked only makes people do and justify great evils, while love moves and motivates people to do great good.
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
Scripture Quotation
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Cindi says:
As the wife of a retired sailor I have to say I was often struck by the devotion of the Marines to their fellows. What if we all lived that way, everyday?
Our sick would be cared for , our poor would be fed and clothed, our helpless would be loved.
Jenn says:
I was a little sad that the Annapolis event was closed, but still it’s so cool that you were there. We live in MD not far from DC, and we went to the Marine Corps museum last Saturday (after watching the HBO series The Pacific) and we have such great affection for the Corps now.
This is a great post; thanks for sharing about your time in Annapolis. We have taken our kids to the Naval Academy, too, and it is a humbling place to be. (Did you get to see John Paul Jones’ sarcophagus?)
Katie says:
The Marines were one of the analogies at tonight’s worship service, too! The speaker spoke about how we have to pray, read, worship, etc. even when we’re “not feelin’ it.” Imagine a Marine showing up to training camp and saying, “You know, I’m just not feeling it today.” Yeah, that wouldn’t fly. It doesn’t fly with God either. (Except Jonathan Martin made is sound a whole lot more eloquent, profound, remarkable than I just did. I cannot do it justice).
Katie
RubberChickenGirl says:
OOOOhhh..rrrAAAHHH!!
Semper Fi,
Soon to be Marine Mom if the Lord wills it