Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you”
The next eight-part series provides excerpts from our new book: In God I Trust: Making Our National Motto My Personal Declaration. The rubber meets the road when we make the concept of trusting in God practical and tangible, giving traction to trust. Beware though, these ideas buck the trends of societal norms and standard practices as we engrave them into our lives.
“In August of 2018 I had just pinned a single star onto each of the shoulders of my uniform. I was now a brigadier general and had just started a new leadership job as the commander of Edwards Air Force Base – a place known as the Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe. During my first full week on the job, a very public attack questioned my character and threatened my future.
An organization that pounces on Christians in the military had their sights set on me. They must have been tracking me all along, and as soon as I became a more public target as a one-star general they launched their attack that included a 22-page letter to the Secretary of Defense suggesting that I should be fired and imprisoned. They pushed articles to the Los Angeles Times and Newsweek that further supported their claims. One of their slogans was: “General Teichert should be doing time behind prison bars, not commanding a Wing wearing a general’s stars.” I have to admit it’s a bit catchy, but not exactly what I was hoping for during week one on the job.
What was my crime? It must have been something egregious for such an attack. In reality, it was rooted in a ministry I had launched five years prior that simply encouraged Christians to pray for our nation and our leaders at lunchtime (PLUS, or prayatlunch.us). How dare I do such a thing?!?!
As I was settling into my new position, it was a bit of shock and awe. After all, I was new in my job and trying to establish my credibility as a servant leader with a focus on our amazing team and our critical mission. That evening, I went home and we had a family conversation about this precarious situation. We prayed about it. And while my flesh wanted to lash out at my attacker, God brought a counter-cultural verse to my mind and my heart – Matthew 5:44.
There may be nothing that runs more counter to the ways of the world than these words from our Saviour! I’ve done my best to put them into practice ever since then. In fact, I go out of my way to pray daily for the leader of the organization that attacked me. I did so earlier today before I typed this section.
How did it work out? First, God gave me a peace about the situation almost immediately. Second, God used the situation to bring national-level attention to my ministry in a way that only He could. That organization had meant it for evil, but God had meant it for good (Genesis 50:20), and the number of viewers to my website in one week eclipsed the previous five years combined. Third, I felt the prayerful love and encouragement of believers around the world who reached out in support. I even enjoyed the superb wingmanship of media personalities, like my friend Todd Starnes at Fox News, who quickly engaged on my behalf. Fourth, the Department of Defense quickly investigated me, determined that I had done nothing wrong, and told me that I could continue with my ministry. Praise God!
There is a bit more to the story. In early 2021, the presidential administration transitioned to one that was hostile to Christians and conservatives in the military. While my career was skyrocketing up to that point and while I had done nothing that had broken any rules, regulations, laws, or policies, the new administration was intent on weeding out faith-filled leaders like me. It was an ideological purge that didn’t make the newspapers because big media was aligned with the administration. As a result, while serving in a position that was already designated for a 2-star general, instead of being promoted I was asked to retire.
It still stings a little bit, but I’m excited to see how God will continue to use that situation for His good. In the meanwhile, I will strive to trust in God even when it is against my flesh or the norms of our prevailing culture.”
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO TRUST IN GOD EVEN WHEN IT IS AGAINST OUR FLESH OR THE NORMS OF OUR PREVAILING CULTURE.
ADMIN: This PLUS post comes from my new book, In God I Trust: Making Our National Motto My Personal Declaration, written alongside Pastor Brad Wells. You can find it on Amazon here:
