48. Encore: Navigating the storms of life, with James Rader

Episode 48 show notes

As 2019 comes to an end, I’m taking a break from the podcast. So, between now and the end of the year, you’re going to hear a series of encore episodes. These are episodes that I selected from among the early days of the podcast because I think they have a great message for you—an evergreen message you might call it. Each encore episode will feature only a portion of the original interview, so I encourage you to go back to that episode if you want to hear all of it.

The first encore episode I want to share with you comes from episode 2, and in that episode, Managing Editor Karen Fliedner interviewed Lieutenant James Rader, who flew multiple search-and-rescue missions in the Houston area during Hurricane Harvey. In fact, Lt. Rader was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Oct. 9, 2019, for extraordinary achievement while participating in life-saving rescue operations during the hurricane as he flew under 200-foot cloud ceilings, navigated unlit towers and exhaust stacks in near-zero visibility to conduct multiple search and rescue missions including medivacing a two-year old girl, as well as a patient who required specialized medical care due to their injuries.

And while the stories that Lt. Rader recounts are pretty awesome, I found two other points he made during the podcast even more profound. First, he shares his thoughts on where is God during the middle of both our literal and figurative storms of life. And second, he talks about his identity in Christ being foremost in his life—even above his profession.

Two questions as you listen:

1. Where is God during the storms of your life?
2. Where do you put your identity—career or Christ?

For the full interview, go check out episode 2, which we titled “Navigating the Storms of Life.”