By Drew Nystrom and Charles Haymond, 55th Wing Public Affairs / Published February 23, 2018

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Air Force Chief of Chaplains delivered remarks during the annual National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 15 at the Patriot Club on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.



More than 200 Warhawks and unit partners attended the event to hear Maj. Gen. Dondi Costin speak about the importance of living a life with a solid spiritual and ethical foundation.



The chief of chaplains used stories about construction, and even golf, to drive home the point that faith, in any of its forms, works. Faith, together with a strong ethical foundation, he said, will set the right conditions for people to overcome inevitable obstacles and life challenges.



“They say there are three types, and only three types of people in this world,” Costin said. “Those who are currently in a storm; those who just exited a storm; and those who are about to enter a storm.”



Costin noted this is especially important considering the high operational tempo seen across the Department of Defense during the past year, highlighting challenges faced by each of the geographic and functional combatant commands.



Considering the nature of the DoD’s mission and the high moral expectations of its members, merely going through the motions or only appearing to have a solid ethical and spiritual foundation is not good enough, Costin said.



“You know murder is bad, but what about hate?” Costin posed. “You know adultery is bad, but what about lust? We must all go the extra mile and do the things we know are right, but are harder to do,” he said.

Invoking scripture found in the Bible’s retelling of the Sermon on the Mount, Costin said, “We all have a choice between two roads; the broad, easy one or the narrow, hard one.”



One avenue, Costin said, which helps make following through on the hard choice easier is faith.



“Data shows that if you are involved in a devout religious community, of any kind, you do better,” he said.



“Those who are devout in their faith, irrespective of religion, are more able to overcome,” Costin said. “The same tenet applies to Muslim Airmen, Jewish Airmen, Christian Airmen, Buddhist Airmen and every kind of person who is involved in a religious community.”



The annual event is an opportunity for Department of Defense members, regardless of faith background, to come together and pray for our nation’s safety, prosperity, and freedom.



“Chaplain Costin was able to make you think about each area of your life, regardless of your faith background, and highlight how comprehensive Airman fitness is made up of physical, social and mental and spiritual components,” Staff Sgt. Jarell Roach, 55th Wing Chaplain Assistant said. “If you have that spiritual piece, the others seem to fall into place naturally.”



For information about activities and opportunities hosted by the wing chapel, contact 294-6244.

