When I was serving in the US Army, I came down on levy to go to Asmara, Ethiopia, and serve with the US Army Security Agency. Levy meant I was to stay put until my orders came through. The delay was that I needed a top level security clearance for that job. While I was waiting for those orders to come through, orders came through for me to go to Vietnam, where I was to serve in the Army Headquarters in Saigon.

I went through South Vietnam training, qualified with the new M-16, drew my green underwear, got my southeast Asia shots, and was clearing post prior to a 30-day leave when the Army Security Agency orders finally came through, ordering me to Augsburg, Germany, rather than Ethiopia. I had two sets of active orders in my hands. Typical government confusion. So, I went down to the Personnel office and showed them my dilemma. The officer looked at me and told me it was my choice where I wanted to go. After deliberating a minute (combat and overseas pay was pretty good), I decided to take the safe route and chose Germany.

What a blessing it was to be told it was my choice where I wanted to go and have the full authority of the United States Army behind that choice. And what a blessing it is to know I have the right to choose where I want to spend eternity. I can go to the default position: hell. Or, I can choose to redeem my life (through Christ) and go to heaven. Its a no brainer.