By Michael W. Bech

WHEN I was six, my father took his own life.

My life before Christ was marked by that single tragic event.

I remember praying to God at the time, and asking him to show himself to me – to help me understand why my father had killed himself. I never saw God, and lost interest in religion for the next 30-odd years.

The remaining years of my childhood were focussed on the essentials of life: my mother working long hours, my older brother working to help pay the bills and my sister looking after me. We went to Sunday school, but were never really engaged in church activities.

Success

When I was 18, I joined the Canadian Forces and focussed my energies on personal success.

I was among the top 10 students in all but one of my training courses, and had never failed at anything I had attempted. They say you can always tell a military officer – but you can’t tell him much! I was a manifestation of that adage.

I was the master of my own destiny: the first officer in the Armour Corps, at the time, to reach the rank of Captain by age 21 – and the youngest of my peer group to own a BMW.

I travelled all over Europe and lived for the present. I didn’t give a thought to my spiritual salvation.

I eventually married a beautiful woman, fathered an intelligent and handsome son and used my intellect to overcome every adversity.

In control

I was a successful military officer. I was in control; I would not accept defeat. Surely, I must have been the most satisfied guy on the street . . .

Not so.

Something was missing, but I didn’t know what.

I became a murmurer. I complained about situations; I was covetous of things. I was critical of others and rebellious against rules – and doubting of anything spiritual. I was so full of me that there wasn’t room for Christ.

Several years ago, my wife’s faith began to re-emerge, and she endeavoured to share the good news with me. I was resistant – and the more she tried, the more obstinate I became. She left Alpha Course leaflets lying around the house, and encouraged me to look into it.

Eventually, I decided to attend an Alpha event. I had seen such a positive change in my wife and son; and I hoped that, by attending, I could have my doubts answered – and could share in the joy they were experiencing.

But above that, I loved my son ­– and I felt I owed it to him to be the best father I could, and to provide him with a loving male Christian role model for his future.

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Skeptical

I went in a bit skeptical – but had resolved within myself to be somewhat open-minded. I had several hard questions and issues I needed answered, before I was prepared to go any farther.

To my amazement – with the help of a few booklets the pastor loaned me, the Alpha leaders, and Nicky Gumbel’s talks – I found answers to my questions within the first three weeks! My wife and I were both amazed at what transpired in such a short time.

Late one night, at home after the Alpha course, I made the decision to follow Christ.

During the Alpha retreat on November 4, 2006, I stood and publicly declared that I was giving my life to Christ.

Thankful

Since then, my life has changed remarkably for the better.

I tossed out the old attitude of complaining, and replaced it with thankfulness. I gave back my covetousness, and replaced it with contentment.

I apologized for my critical attitude, and replaced it with love. I stopped my rebellious attitude and replaced it with submission to God’s rule. And finally, I stopped doubting ­– and replaced that with faith.

I’ll be completely honest: not everyone is totally thrilled with my new life.

My family is supportive; yet sometimes, they seem skeptical of what is going on in my life. Some of my colleagues at work mock, joke, prod and tempt, always looking for chinks in the armour and signs of the old Mike.

Army of God

To say it is difficult is an understatement. The devil doesn’t want me to join the Army of God. He liked me as I was – egotistical, defiant and self-serving. He tries each and every day to tempt me back to my life before Christ.

So: is God present in my daily life?

You bet he is. He has to be, because there are so many things that I just can’t do on my own. Christ is there, holding me up when I need support.

Being a Christ follower isn’t always easy;  but it is the single most rewarding endeavour we can pursue, after receiving God’s grace.

Major Mike Bech is an Armour Officer with the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD), and is currently posted as Armour Directing Staff at the Tactics School at the Combat Training Centre of Camp Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick. He has been with the Canadian Forces for more than 20 years – and has served in Europe, as well as in two African UN Missions. Major Bech is married to Patricia, and they have one son, Kyle.

September 2007