I am in the habit of praying for future officers once a week and at other times as guided by the Holy Spirit. This year, I am being even more intentional about praying for soldiers and for those who worship with us who have not yet become soldiers. May we keep the door open for God to do His bidding through the Holy Spirit’s wooing.

It’s sad to me that some soldiers, employees, and volunteers have never had the chance to answer the question, “Have you considered being an officer? Do you feel God calling you into full-time service as an officer?” or any related questions. We can all start by asking those around us, preparing them, and encouraging them to attend a candidates weekend where they will meet like-minded individuals who are also trying to figure out for themselves: Is this what God is calling me to do? I love what Lyell Rader said in “Called to Life Service”:

“Most young people decide what they will do for God. But the Word of God states, ‘Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.’ For a Christian to assert his own will in opposition to the mind of Christ is not just foolish; it is high treason! God has a plan for every life. We are expected to understand His will for us. He has promised to reveal it to us clearly, as if a Voice had spoken, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it.’”

Some may still struggle with discerning God’s call to service as a soldier or officer. They may feel they have tried to hear God’s voice and discern His leading but without a conclusive answer. William Booth’s words are instructive as usual:

“‘Not called,’ did you say? Not heard the call, I think you should say. He has been calling loudly ever since He spoke your sins forgiven — if you are forgiven at all — entreating and beseeching you to be His ambassador. Put your ear down to the Bible and hear Him bid you go and pull poor sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitying wail for help. Go and stand by the gates of Hell and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house, and bid their brothers, and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look the Christ in the face, whose mercy you profess to have got, and whose words you have promised to obey, and tell Him whether you will join us heart and soul and body and circumstances in this march to publish His mercy to all the world.”

Are you doing everything you can for God, His Church, and the community where you live? If not, take time to clear away all distractions, listen to our Lord and Savior, and answer His call. Are you hearing the call from our Heavenly Father to accept the high calling of being a Salvation Army officer or a strong and committed soldier? The busyness of life and the burdens of our responsibilities can sometime overwhelm us, causing confusion or even resistance. Yet the way of the cross calls us to find in surrender and service life at its absolute best.

Take these Scriptures to heart and join me in praying for those who have said yes to Jesus’s call to become fulltime ministers of His gospel, and for those who may still hear that small, clear whisper from the Holy Spirit saying, “I want you!” or “This is the way, walk in it.” I encourage you to listen and respond as He guides you.

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

God’s initial call on our lives remains, even if our current circumstances change. God’s grace and His unchanging purposes for our lives remain steadfast. While the costs of saying yes to God’s call may appear high, the joy and peace of obeying Him far outweighs them. God promises to supply what we lack and to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). 

Jeremiah’s well-known declaration should bring us comfort and assurance that God has a purpose and plan for all our lives. Although Jeremiah was speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon and not directly to us, we can still place our hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; this hope is made possible because of what He accomplished on our behalf upon the cross! By the cross of Christ, we are made more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Isaiah sees the possibility of a new chapter and God’s ability to bring new opportunities for all of us. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Remember, He’s the one who opens and shuts doors, and if God has opened a door, no one else can close it. If God closes a door, no one else can open it. I believe He does this to bring about blessing and protection. We can do no better than trusting Him with our everything.

God has forgiven us, set us free, sent His Spirit to guide, correct, strengthen and comfort. He’s made us His Church, in which we find close fellowship and community. He’s also given, from His storehouse of grace, all we need to serve Him faithfully. May we all heed His call, in view of His rich mercies, and answer Him enthusiastically. I pray over you the final greetings of Paul to the Corinthians: 

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All of God’s people here send you their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:11-14).

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