This past Sunday at Charlotte Temple we had the privilege of hearing two cadets from the training college, in Atlanta, share with us what the Holy Spirit was saying to them. One of the cadets was a good friend of mine and a former co-counselor at Camp Keystone (Cabin #5) Justin Caldwell. I hadn’t seen this guy in five years and then he shows up one day in Charlotte of all places the last place I expected to see him…well, maybe not the last place, and not second to last, but certainly not the first place I expected to see him. It just proved again that you can always just say see you later when TSA is involved because it is always the truth. It was great seeing him again and having camp memories come to mind again… (I’m lost in thought right now)… Justin didn’t deliver the sermon to us but he did share with us his testimony and when and how he was called to become an officer.
It might just be me, but I have heard a number of testimonies from officers and cadets and one thing many of them seem to say is that they ran when they were called. Why do we do that? Why run from the destiny God has for us? It seems like we say God I’ll do whatever you want except that…isn’t that a song “I would do anything for love but I won’t do that” Are we constantly singing that song when we ask God what he wants from us and what he has planned for our lives? We say, “I’ll do anything you want, but this thing over here I won’t do that, but anything else is great,” and then when he calls us to do that one thing we run away. Are we scared, or dumb, or do we really think that God is going to change his mind if we ask again some other time? God isn’t going to change his mind just because we’re stubborn. He eventually reels us back in and tries again and we can either listen or run…again. I don’t know if that’s the way it is for most people, but it seems to be a common theme is TSA. I know that the enemy gets to us, but what does he show us that would make us bolt. I can’t seem to figure it out. Do we not see any glamour in the lifestyle (duh!!)? Do we want more money (what would you do with it)? Do we see a lack of joy in the Army (they’re doing it wrong and that person obviously hasn’t heard our song).
Here’s a thought, it’s not about us. It never has been about us; it’s about the people we need to reach, and we can’t run from it. We have been called and equipped and we can’t fail. It’s seriously impossible for us to fail. If our God is for us how could we fail…honestly how? We can’t. I wonder sometimes how many men and women have run away and not returned. We need to get them back. Think about how much more amazing this army would be if everyone called decided not to run, but they decided to stay and fight. That’s intense.
5 comments:
great Word Trav...I should've known you were a Meatloaf fan...
good to read your thoughts again... reminds me of words from a Jason Upton song... "Run, Run, Run away from Me, you end up running right in to Me." Sometimes God allows us to run away from Him, and then has His arms wide open when we sheepishly return to Him after trying to do it on our own...
Do you feel like you're running? I think the struggle is just as important as the call, personally. I'd hate to see people running into a fight they weren't prepared for in the first place, and coming out wounded or broken on the other side (and I don't mean in a good way)...I think the struggle shows us where we're at with God. We need to get over ourselves before we can really serve as officers and face those battles. I know God equips the called, but sometimes I feel that the process of the struggle is part of how we become equipped for the long haul. You can tell me you think I'm nuts. I can take it.
Hey Travis!
I'll be honest and say I haven't read the post ;)
Mary mentioned last week that you were looking for my e-mail address? Did you want something specific? Drop me a line...
djknee@gmail.com
Great Blog Travis!!
I like what Aurora said though. Romans 5 talks about how our struggles produce perserverance which produces character which produces hope...
However, in the end, I know we look back at it and say, dang...if i had just not been so stubborn it would've made it so much easier! But it takes the thorns to get to the rose...and sometimes it takes us running and eventually falling into God's Perfect plan to get us to a place where we are ready.
I don't know what it is that makes us run from officership...I'm sure we could all name off a list of things! And i completely agree with you that we need to chase after the ones who haven't stopped running or have started running again.
I like how you end it...It's not about us. I think that's something ALL Salvation Army Officers need to understand. From the general to the corps officers and everyone in between...Even to the soldiers and corps members...It's not about us, and it Never will be Praise the Lord!
Post a Comment