The Marines got it right...

At church today, the sermon was about outreach.  One of the random things discussed was Isaiah 58:10.  It says...

If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

And once again, I was thinking about why so many Marines I've met are successful in the Marines and not very successful in the rest of their lives. The key is turning what happened into the Marines into a successful future. 

During my time in the Marine Corps, there was never a time for my problems.  There was only the mission and the welfare of the group.  We were always taught "mission first, troop welfare second".  In many aspects, this idea is exactly what God was talking about in Isaiah 58:10.

Maybe I'm not that smart, but if I hunt down a section of the Bible and it tells me how to solve a problem, the best way to solve that problem is to follow what the Bible said.  And then it becomes easy. 

Now, how can we take this and translate it into success?  Simple: if you have a problem in your life, help others.  Quit worrying about your problems and help others.  If you are depressed, go help others in any method you can.   Serve others, and you will gain.

The pastor used an example.  The Sea of Galilee in Israel is a fresh water sea that is teaming with life.  The water flows southward, feeding crops and providing for the needs of those around.  Finally, the river reaches the Dead Sea.  Nothing grows in the Dead Sea, and entering into the Dead Sea leaves a greasy, nasty feeling.  But that's how people who are self-centered and do nothing but consume are.  They consume and consume, and nothing grows in them. 

So, to finish off this line of thought: Marines on active duty are much like the Sea of Galilee. They produce for others with no thoughts of themselves.  They grow, and grow, and grow.  Nothing can stop them.  But they then leave the Marines and become the Dead Sea.  They consume and consume, asking and demanding over things and forgetting that which caused them great success. And their lives stagnate and become bitter and resentful.

But Isaiah 58:10 tells why the Marine Corps is so successful.  Isaiah 58:10 is the life style and life of the Marine. 

If you want to succeed, continue implementing Isaiah58:10.