Only God Knows What's In Store For You by Evan Sahlstrom

“If a man does his best, what else is there?” -General George S. Patton.

When I was a young teenager around 14 or 15 years old, I really couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was, and still am, young but I knew I didn’t want to spend a lot of time and effort in school and later college without an idea of what I was working for or any reassurance that any of it mattered. I could see myself doing a great number of things, but no single job grabbed my attention more than the next. That is, until I went to my first airshow with my Dad. When I saw the thunderbirds take to the skies, I knew I wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force.

Now the real question remained: How do I get from highschool to a cockpit? After learning about the Air Force Academy’s opportunities and number of slots for future pilots, I was excited. After learning about their average SAT scores, GPA’s, physical fitness standards, and congressional nomination process, I was discouraged. I eventually concluded that if I truly felt called by God to serve as a pilot, then I should try my hardest and shoot the highest so that I can never say I didn't use the gifts he has given me to the greatest potential. I never really believed I could make it in and didn't in my first time applying. Just as I was coming to accept that I would have to take a different route, I discovered Northwestern Preparatory School. An institution purpose built for service academy rejects to train hard and make it in. I put in work and prayed that God would open and close the right doors along my path, so I knew this was a door I had to step through.

After 110 days of grueling academics and physical training everyday of the week, I was satisfied that I had given 110% of my blood, sweat, tears, and sometimes vomit to my training and that was the best candidate I could be. The rest was in God’s hands. I had two nominations, good grades at the prep school, and a solid physical fitness score. I wanted it so bad and even thought I earned it. I was crushed when I got my rejection letter.

For weeks I was confused, frustrated, even angry. I worked so hard and did my best, so why didn’t I get in? All my mentors told me I had it in the bag, so why didn’t I make it? At the end of the day, I had no choice but to accept that the door was closed. I realized that after all I had done, it was only under my own strength and although I still felt called to be an airforce pilot, I had to accept that only God knows what tomorrow holds. Trusting God’s plan for life can be frustrating and confusing when we don't know what our future holds and when it seems like everything is going wrong. Eventually I was able to make peace with the fact that whatever happens, God knows what's best for me and there had to be a really good reason for that rejection letter.

Weeks later, I got a cold call from my senator informing that the Academy had changed their mind and I was accepted after all. Once again I was in shock at the direction God was taking my life. From that time on I have been humbled in my attitude towards my future and thankful for the mysterious ways God lights our path.

ABOUT EVAN SAHLSTROM: Evan Sahlstrom is a 19 year old Catholic Christian who converted from Protestant Christianity around 2019. He graduated Matsu Career Tech and North Western Preparatory in 2022, and is joining the Class of 2027 at the United States Air Force Academy where he aspires to gain his bachelor's and move on to pilot training after commissioning.