Soldiers of our God, arise! The day
is drawing nearer; shake the slumber from your eyes, the light is growing
clearer. Sit no longer idly by, while the heedless millions die. Lift the
blood-stained banner high and take the field for Jesus.
These words from The
Salvation Army song book inspire and ignite within me a passion for this Army
of salvation. They speak of our purpose, our mandate and declare the very
essence of who we are. Soldiers: fighting to win the world for Jesus.
Yet there are whispers within the ranks that say, ‘The Salvation Army has
abandoned its post and failed in fulfilling its mission’, ‘It’s stuck in the
past’, or ‘the movement is stagnant and without vision’. These whispers
distract us from the fight, and they need to stop. We will not quit out of
frustration but will fight harder, with greater endurance and stronger
determination, because while our tactics may change, our mission remains.
The Salvation Army was
founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth during a dark time where
poverty, injustice, corruption and disease infiltrated the streets of the east
end of London
Not that much has
changed. Ours is still a dark world in need of light: the light, life and love
of Jesus! People are still drowning in an ocean of sin, broken and hurting,
desperate for something more.
The chief coroner
announced last month that in the past year, 541 lives were lost to suicide.
Connection through social media seems to trump true community, but the reality
is that people are lonelier than ever. Depression is rampant. People are
marginalised on account of their age, gender, disability, ethnicity or
socio-economic status. Thousands of children live in poverty. Addictions to
alcohol, pornography, gambling and even work oppress. Corruption is rife and
injustice extensive.
Today, The Salvation Army
is made up of soldiers who are dedicated, disciplined and determined disciples
of Jesus. They are cleansed because of Christ’s sacrificial blood and equipped,
empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit’s fire. They aren’t afraid to stand
up in defence of the marginalised; they love their neighbours and seek to imitate
the example of Christ.
They are courageous, bold
and innovative; willing to put reputations on the line to challenge injustice
and corruption. They rise above the standards set by society and set their
sights on a higher purpose. These soldiers fight with endurance to bring hope
and purpose to a deteriorating world. Not as individuals, but as units who
thrive within and strive for community. Much of their fighting is done on their
knees in persevering prayer, and the sword they possess is the Word of God,
which they know well and are deeply committed to. They are zealous, undaunted, fearless, unswerving and unstoppable as they storm the
forts of darkness.
In this Army we find
belonging, we find purpose, we take up arms and fight to see people freed from
oppression, injustice conquered, and souls saved into the Kingdom of Heaven. Hallelujah!
In this Salvation Army
there is a place for you, irrespective of your age, your gender, your
ethnicity, your past, your fears or your failings. This is an Army fuelled with
passion, filled with purpose and fighting to prevail over darkness.
So … Soldiers of our God arise!
Forward march with Blood and Fire and win the world for Jesus!
Great vision Sammy!! I've really struggled with negativity within the Army in the past. I still question where the balance lies between critiquing what we're doing to keep it missional and outward focused, and not tearing ourselves down from the inside.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! I think we have to realise our own part in it too and be determined to be the kind of soldier God and the army needs. I think it's important to review and improve our mission effectiveness, but I'm becoming more aware that the words we speak have power, and speaking negatively of the army for the sake of a rant is perhaps more destructive than apathy.
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