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Response to Pillar Two Of General Eva
Burrows’ Agenda for the Future
by Captain Jo
Brookshaw
“To call the Army to spiritual
renewal.”
How strongly do we feel about spiritual
renewal?
Automatically, I respond “I’m
absolutely committed. 100%!”
But to weigh this more carefully, I would have to admit
that spiritual renewal is just one amongst many values I hold,
but have not set as a purposeful agenda for living. You see,
although I have committed my life to the purposes of winning
souls and making their salvation the first purpose of my life,
the day-to-day life I lead consists of activities and
interactions that do not always lead to these results.
Do I preach the gospel? Yes.
Do I love and care for those in my
community? Yes.
Do I witness people being spiritually
renewed? Sometimes, but not to the degree I know is possible
according to what I have read in scripture!
As General Eva outlined, we need to not
only feel strongly about spiritual renewal, but also allow it
clarify our stand, direct our thoughts strategically, shape
our priorities and become a yardstick for our effectiveness.
In other words, our high hopes need to become grounded and
engaged in missional purpose.
Are you ready to go deeper?
Spiritual renewal depends on us being a
spiritual people, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter
2:9), a people committed to purity and holiness, both
individually and as a movement called by God. In these days,
it is tempting to lose an emphasis on holy living, by dumbing
down our ideals for soldiers and officers, by chasing after
the agenda of the world and calling it Godly. But, it is only
by the work of the Holy Spirit that we can truly become holy
people.
Yes that’s right, holiness comes not
from keeping rigid rules, being a lovely old dear, or looking
immaculate in your soldier’s uniform. Holiness is a direct
result of the Holy Spirit’s work of continual renewal in a
person’s spirit. It cannot be manufactured, or earned as a
reward, holiness is a gift available to all who desire the
Holy Spirit’s empowering in their life. Jesus himself said,
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’” Luke 11:13
This is news worth sharing – an
antidote and a balm to a hurting world who need a solution to
their brokenness. The absolute beauty of The Holy Spirit alive
and active within us, is that the same spirit empowers and
renews other Christians in our Corps and other Churches. We
have a life-giving opportunity to connect and work together to
grow the kingdom of God as directed and empowered by the
Spirit!
This renewal begins in you and can
expand to effect spiritual transformation in your family,
school, work, gym, community, or even your favourite hobby
(the Holy Spirit renewing people through art? Count me in!).
It’s time to earnestly seek holiness and intentionally
plan for the ripples of spiritual renewal to impact the world
that’s right now within your grasp. Holy Spirit, quicken our
hearts to your voice today!
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