February 7, 2007
Good Morning,
Good Morning,
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen
nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
I remember my Commissioning Day as a Salvation Army officer so well. I walked across the stage and received my first appointment from the Territorial Commander. It was exciting to have people introducing themselves and telling me all about my “new corps.” I began to plan what I would do during my first days and weeks after my arrival to the appointment. Simply speaking, Renton, Washington, would never be the same! Those were optimistic days.
As I look back, I did not have the impact on Renton, or for that matter, any other subsequent appointment that I dreamt of having during those “early days.” I am not sure that I had a significant community impact during any of my appointments. However, that does not mean I have not been successful. In reality, I may have been far more successful than I will ever know. One thing that I have learned over the years is that God measures success far differently than us.
In the corps, we often measure how successful we are by nickels and noses. We gauge our success by the size of our budgets or how many people attend our Sunday worship services. I am not saying those things do not matter, they do. However, I think God’s definition of success is far different from ours, and much more difficult to evaluate.
I am far wiser today than I was 31 years ago on that commissioning day (I was naïve). I have learned a few things about godly success.
· It is not all about me. God calls me to love and to serve others. To do that means that sometimes I may have to give up some things and may have to do other things that I would rather not. Ministry opportunities do not always come between the hours of 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, or on Sunday mornings. God provides many opportunities to impact lives (at very inconvenient times) that if missed, are never to return.
· The Army is much bigger than my appointment. I need to look beyond my corps, program or divisional boundaries and work to influence His Kingdom. God does not see our artificial boundaries. He sees the hearts of men and women who need Him, and my responsibility is to do whatever I can to bring people to Him, whether or not I will ever see the results or receive any recognition.
· Pain is temporary; quitting is forever. There are many times, due to discouragement, I have been temped to quit. Opportunities for worldly success may come my way, trying to entice me to forsake my call. It would be easy at those times to walk away, to quit. I am so grateful that Jesus never quit on His way to the cross or in His efforts to save me. I think that all of us want to have an impact, to make a difference in other people. However, I think, first God has to build the pastor or leader within us, before He can accomplish anything significant through us. Those times of building are often difficult and quite painful. Quitting will shortchange us and the people that we would have served.
· Life is not fair; if it was I would drive a Lexus. I cannot go through life looking for fairness or trying to make sure that I get my way. The Lord tells me to follow Him and adhere to the guidance of those He has placed over me in leadership. Always looking to be treated fairly and to make sure that I get my “fair share” will only lead to resentment on my part and, ultimately, in the end, bitterness.
· Live as if there are no future appointments; learn the art of “being there.” People who are always looking for the next “step up the ladder” miss the joy of true ministry, and I believe will end up disappointed and embittered. God has appointed each of us to where are today. King David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” One of the names of Jesus is Emmanuel or God with us. Jesus promised to never to leave or forsake me. You see, presence gives great assurance. Presence is a grantor of courage. I need to work hard, reach out to others, give of myself daily, and let my tomorrows take care of themselves (Matthew 6:34).
These are just a few thoughts that come to mind. However, I guess we all need to learn the lessons ourselves. The walk of faith is a great adventure. Best of all, God is far from finished with me. I am still under construction, as was the Apostle Paul, who wrote:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12-14
Blessings,
d