Stars in her eyes ...

Today I went to a parade – a parade of Canadian Forces graduates. Lt. Jazz Lawrence, an air navigator training at 17 Wing Winnipeg, received her wings today. Congratulations, Jazz! Jazz has been posted to 405 Squadron in Greenwood, NS, where she’ll be flying on the CP140 Aurora. The primary combat functions of 405 Squadron are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) - wow! In peacetime, the squadron carries out sovereignty patrols. During these patrols, crews watch for ships that discharge pollutants at sea and ensure that foreign and Canadian fishing vessels abide by their Canadian licensing agreements. In recent years, the 405 Squadron has come to the aid of Canadians during some of the worst natural disasters of all time, including the Manitoba flood of 1997. Next time you’re in trouble, look for an Aurora flying overhead – it might be Jazz up there!

Perusing Jazz’s graduation folder, I noticed the motto of the Royal Canadian Air Force is per ardua ad astra – through adversity to the stars. Anyone who knows Jazz knows she takes on tremendous adversity with remarkable poise and grace … and she will make it to the stars. The RCAF motto reminded me of the Apostle Paul, who wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us” (Epistle to the Romans 8.18). Paul served time in prison for his faith. He was executed by an emperor who hated Christians. It didn’t matter to Paul. Paul faced adversity with stars in his eyes. He saw what lay ahead, and whatever he had to go through to get to the “stars” was worth it.

This weekend, three other people from our faith community are showing us what it means to pay the price for something you believe in. Hal Brolund, who just released his new album Come the Ruination (foreboding title!), began his 45-day Trans Canada Blues Tour today. He’s on the road because he believes God has given him a gift and he’s supposed to share it. It’s not easy crossing the country in a ten-year old Toyota Tercel, but Hal’s willing to pay the price to fulfill his destiny. He’s got stars in his eyes. And tomorrow, two young adults - James and Stefany - are getting married at Central Baptist. Marriage isn’t always easy, but they’re willing to pay the price because they know the person they’re marrying is worth it. I’ll be seeing stars in their eyes tomorrow. What a privilege!