Pull With Everything You've Got

Have you ever played Tug o’ War?

You know how it works… Two teams of people line up on either side of a good, thick rope – each with their biggest guy at he end as the “anchor” –pulling for all they’re worth in opposite directions. The object? To pull those at the other end of the rope to your side of the divide.

Funny thing about a tug o’ war… Your team doesn’t usually win if all your team mates don’t pull in the same direction. In fact, I think the case can be made that if you’re not pulling with everything you’ve got in the same direction as the rest of your team, that’s the extent to which you’re helping the other team. You don’t have to actually switch sides and pull for the other guys. Simply pulling less than your best or in a different direction is an indirect way to help those pulling the opposite way.

I think there’s an easy parallel one could make in applying this same principle to all the activities, programs and ministries that take place as part of the overall Army menu of services.

Mark Waltz serves on the Pastoral Staff of one of the more innovative churches in this country, Granger Community Church, in Granger, Indiana. In his book entitled First Impressions, he offers an insight not to be missed, when he says:

“A common mission unifies a congregation’s focus and energizes ministry. People who do not gather around a shared mission will pursue multiple goals and directions. Distractions will abound. The absence of a common mission will generally result in disparate outcomes. When your mission is clear, each ministry within your church must align with it.” (emphasis added)

I think he’s dead on…

Ask a dozen Salvationists what our mission is; ask about the unique purpose of the Army; ask why we do what we do; ask about our desired outcome as a result of a given activity. The answers that come back will most likely cover the ground from the militant to the milquetoast and everything in between.

My point…? I’m not sure just how “shared” our mission is among our own ranks. I’m not convinced that we’re all pulling in the same direction toward the same objective.

One of my favorite Booth quotes speaks to this very issue. He makes abundantly clear just what the “supreme purpose” is behind all that the Army involves itself with. Here’s what he had to say:

“We want souls to the end. This same principle applies not only to the regular Salvation work, but to everything we touch. Take our free meals and summer outings for children, or the help rendered to the naval and military men. What is it we are after? What, I ask, is the ultimate end behind your Christmas baskets of turkey and crackers, or your Penny Ice and Summer Camps in the States and Canada; behind your industrial schools and Criminal Settlements in India; your Day Schools in Newfoundland; your Creches and Slum Posts in Scandinavia, your Shelters, Workshops, Hospitals and Nursing Homes the world over? Must it not be the salvation of the souls of the people – not as something to be dragged in at the tail end if a fairly convenient opportunity should present itself – but the ONE SUPREME PURPOSE?

I say we have no right to spend one hour of our time, or one ounce of our energies, or one penny of our money on any of these things except behind them all and governing them all is the one leading purpose; unless infusing and giving its character and quality to them all is the one spirit, the one object and aim – the capture of individuals for God!

All these efforts and special branches can only be rightly regarded as ultimately so many means of reaching those whom otherwise we could not reach – so many weapons for breaking down their opposition to God, delivering them from the power of the Devil, and enlisting them into His service.

Anything less than that is a betrayal of our trust. What better will a man be in hell because we merely filled his stomach when he was hungry or clothed him when he was naked? What profit will it be that we educate and train the children in our Industrial and Boarding Schools, unless we get them converted by the grace of God?”
William Booth

Man, I like that! Nothing vague or unclear. No chance of misunderstanding his point or position. Everything we involve ourselves in, or set our hand to, should, in some way, shape, or form, give us the opportunity to engage people in a discussion about their souls. Satisfying temporal, physical needs is a means to a credibility which is intended to open an opportunity for us to lovingly probe into more eternal concerns. Booth is saying that all of our activities, programs, and services are intended to “pull” in that direction.

So how is it at the section of the rope where God has placed you? Through your actions and efforts, are you pulling people toward Jesus? Let's commit to pull together, and give it all we've got!

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot!

Willis

A Very Significant Date

This is a special day for me.

I've decided to hold my breath, close my eyes, and jump into what for me is the deep end of technology and actually begin blogging. And to the 2 or 3 people who might actually stumble across this site, well, thanks for reading!

As special as this simple fact is, however, it's really not what makes this day significant, let alone very significant.

You see, thirty one years ago today, the most significant, life changing event happened to me (short of my salvation and sanctification). On Saturday, February 11, 1978, Barbara Leidy -- the girl I had been dating for seven years! -- became my wife. Two people were joined at the heart. And we've only grown closer over the years.

If you were to see "then-and-now" pictures of Barbara, you would hardly notice a change. On the other hand, my "then" appearance as opposed to now.... well, let's not go there. But let's face it, over 31 years, some things are going to change, shift, adjust, and crease. That's life. But I'm celebrating the fact that the important things between us-- the things that last and matter -- have become stronger, deeper, more lovely.

It's fair to say that there has been no other person in my life who has done as much to help "fan into flame" the few gifts God has given me. In her wife-way, she pushes me, prompts, and prods me towards excellence. Where I would at times settle for "good enough," she points to the better and the best.

How do you thank God for the gift of this kind of partner in your life?

I shared with her today this excerpt from one of the countless letters Brengle wrote to his wife, Lily, during their frequent separations. It pretty well describes the role she plays in my life:

"Help me by your prayers, stir me up by your exhortations, make me watchful by your warnings, make me diligent by your example, make me wise by your counsel, be my wife, my helper, as you have been and as you will -- and God will use me to save many more souls with you than without you."
-- Samuel Logan Brengle

So thank you Lord, for special days, significant dates, and flame-fanning partners. They each, like all good gifts, come from You.

And if I'm smart -- and no one who knows me places any real wager on that bet -- I'll keep my eyes continually open to see and recognize the gifts, the wonder, and blessings God includes in every day to remind me of His love and grace.

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...

Willis