What Makes Me Missionally Hopeful?
by Captain Jenny
Collings Corps Officer and Director of Community
Ministries Hamilton City Salvation Army, New Zealand
I
recently broke out of my comfort zone in a big way. I
completed a 6km mud run with my husband Marcus. We trudged
through mud pits and commando crawled under barbed wire and
electrical fencing. We climbed up slippery hills on our hands
and knees, clutching to the gnarly roots of trees to pull
ourselves up and we waded our way through an icy cold river
full of sludge.
Having
been Salvation Army Officers for 12 years, it is true to say
that the two experiences are not dissimilar. We signed up, we
trained, we dressed for the occasion and we showed up at the
start line. Not long into it, we realised that it was going to
be much harder than we had anticipated to endure and to
complete. So, what keeps us going? What keeps me hopeful that
the mission we have committed our lives to is still worth it
all?
1.
A personal commitment to completion and a sense of
camaraderie1:
On the mud run, I had to dig deep and keep putting
one foot in front of the other. I had to keep thinking about
the finish line and how good it would feel to complete the
race. It helped that everyone around me was moving in the same
direction. We were all moving forwards. We ran at differing
paces, but together we had momentum and a sense of comradery.
It’s the same way with the mission of The Salvation Army. When
I see others moving forwards with God and alongside us, I am
encouraged and inspired to keep going myself. I was recently a
delegate at the International College for Officers and came
away inspired by the personal commitments not only of
Officers, but of Salvationists all over the globe to keep
working and moving towards the finish line. In the
internationalism of The Salvation Army there is an opportunity
to gain a greater sense of momentum and comradery, thereby
inspiring missional hope.
International College for Officers Session 236
2.
Experiencing and celebrating wins along the way2:
I discovered on the mud run that I am not a great
runner, but I can commando crawl like a boss! It is true to
say that I found at least eighty percent of the race to be
downright gruelling and arduous. The other twenty percent was
exhilarating and I surprised myself at what I was able to
accomplish. In living out the mission, there is a good eighty
percent that is downright gruelling and arduous. I am kept
hopeful by the twenty percent which is made up of the good
surprises that God has in store for me along the way! One
example of this is that, through Officership, I have
discovered a purpose and passion for re-integrating social and
spiritual mission. I have been delighted and surprised in each
of our appointments as ministries have converged and the
mission has advanced. In our current appointment, 11
Salvationists (including a Pacific Islander, a South African
and a Zimbabwean), 3 retired Officers (2 Colonels and a Major)
and 6 Christians (including a Kiwi/Papua New Guinean, 2 South
Africans and 1 Botswanan) from other denominations have
followed God’s call to join our staff team to work in an
integrated spiritual and social service context. Their “yes”
to Gods call to sacrificial service keeps me hopeful that we
are still called and empowered to be “Te Ope Whakaora” (Maori
for The Salvation Army) which, when translated, means “The
Army that brings life”.
3.
Race Marshalls to guide and cheer us on!
At regular intervals
on the mud run there were Marshalls to watch over us. They
made sure that we followed the course laid out for us and
shouted out words of encouragement to spur us on. I am kept
missionally hopeful by leaders who do this for us. The Lord
has strategically placed people in my life for a season to
help me face particular challenges and get over hurdles
safely. There are times when I’ve felt like I was going it
alone, but just around the corner was another race Marshall
waiting, ready to call out words of encouragement and motivate
me to press on! I thank God for all the people over the years
who have fulfilled that function in my life. They are
ambassadors of hope!
4.
The promise of relief and refreshment at the end of the
race3:
Before we set off, the announcer declared that there
would be sports drinks, protein bars and showers ready and
waiting for us at the end. Let me tell you, we needed the hope
of that promise to keep us going when we were in the thick of
it! When it comes to missional hope, there is no greater hope
than the hope of heaven to keep us going. It is the promise of
eternal relief and refreshment at the end of the race that I
need to keep at the forefront of my mind when I find myself
out of my comfort zone and having to dig deep.
Towards the end of the race, Marcus and I
waded out of the icy river and climbed up the last hill
towards the finish line. At the top of the verge, a crowd was
gathered on either side of the ropes cheering us on. The
announcer was there with his hand held out to high five us. He
called out our names into the microphone congratulating us on
our achievement. Exhilarated, we high fived the announcer and
crossed the finish line holding hands, held up high in the
sky, with a mutual sense of accomplishment, exhaustion and
relief. It was worth it all!
Ultimately, what keeps me missionally
hopeful is my belief that I will see Jesus at the finish line
and He will be calling out my name saying well done Jen! I
have an enduring conviction that it’s truly going to be worth
it all!
The
Mission Statement of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and
Tonga Territory:
The Salvation Army is an international
movement and an evangelical branch of the Christian Church,
which expresses its ministry through a balance of spiritual
and social programmes. In its founding it was mobilised by
God, and in its continuance is totally dependent on God for
the power to fulfil its calling. Everything it does is as an
offering to the glory of God and for the worship and adoration
of God's name.
________________________________________
1
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set
before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider Him who
endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart.” (NIV)
2
The mission of The Salvation Army in New Zealand,
Fiji and Tonga is:
•
Caring for people: Salvationists
follow the example of Jesus by identifying with the needy,
standing alongside them and caring for people in all
situations.
•
Transforming lives: Salvationists
believe that God can transform people and that the resulting
wholeness is experienced through belief in Jesus Christ and by
the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation is evidenced
in discipleship and commitment.
•
Reforming society: Salvationists
seek to express the love and power of God in the community.
This calls for the challenging of manifestations of evil,
injustice and oppression, and for steps aimed at their
elimination.
3
Rita Springer inspires this posture…
‘Worth It All’ by Rita Springer:
“I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways
Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I need
I will say to You
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this”
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