After almost eight years of battling cancer, the Lord called Retired Chaplain (Major General) G.T. Gunhus home on Friday, May 27. When he became the military consultant for Guideposts in 2004, I had the privilege of working and traveling with him to military bases worldwide for more than eight years. I watched a giant of the faith in action and took copious notes on authentic leadership. He was my friend, mentor and pastor.
During our travels he would say to the chaplains, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips those He has called.” He believed that God would equip people if they were willing to listen and respond to the call from within. Author Parker J. Palmer wrote, “Vocation does not mean a goal I pursue. It comes from listening.” Chaplain Gunhus listened to that voice and served for 36 years all over the world, in wartime and peace.
Read More: Giving Our Troops the Power of Hope and Inspiration
He completed his first of two tours in Vietnam as a young chaplain straight out of seminary. During the beginning of this tour he had a hard time focusing on the troops because he was worried about his wife and children back home.
Once again he heard the voice of God in his heart, but with a different message, “you take care of the troops…I will take care of your family.” When he surrendered his concerns and fears to God, he then began operating fully in his calling; servicing the men and woman on the front line. Someone once wrote, “Faith is having the courage to let God have control.”
Read More: A Memory of Gen. Gunhus and Norman Vincent Peale
God raised Chaplain Gunhus to serve as the US Army Chief of Chaplains prior, during and after 9/11. He received his last and permanent assignment at the pearly gates of heaven. But not before serving and teaching us here on Earth that God uses ordinary people to fulfill extraordinary acts of faith, service and love when they listen and have the courage to follow their calling from within.
Lord, help us to listen and follow the voice of vocation; let us discover the power of operating in our calling.
