Why did God choose The Salvation Army? # 1

NORSK
Some days ago I shared information about the EMMA-program on Facebook, and wrote: ‘- watch out for a blog next week’. The reason was that in the planning of the final meeting, Magna and I decided that we wanted the testimonies from the delegates to answer the question: “Why did you choose The Salvation Army?”. 
Almost as a joke I said to Magna: “Then I can preach on the question: 'Why did God choose The Salvation Army?'”

I must admit that I have sometimes wondered why, but I have never tried to answer the question until I gave myself this challenge. I ended up with five points. Each point deserves a deep Bible-study supported with short biographical examples down through the history of our movement to our present time. However, this is just a glimpse:

# 1 God chose TSA because of people with a calling and a passion! (1)

Since God created man in his own image, he has been scanning the earth for those who can make him known:

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chron 16:9a

More than 150 years ago he found two people with that calling and passion and he strengthened them in such a way that Catherine and William Booth in the power of The Holy Spirit were able to touch other people’s lives with the gospel. In this way the number of called people with a burning passion grew rapidly into a mobilised Army. God even allowed them to organize themselves in an Army fashion because he saw that their hearts were fully committed to him.

Without that calling and passion for mission, God would never have chosen The Salvation Army, because God does not choose organizations, he chooses people.

‘Manna for today’:

God chooses people!

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(1) The whole series:
# 1 God chose TSA because of people with a calling and a passion!
# 2 God chose TSA because we focus on the fact that everyone is called!
# 3 God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry
# 4 God chose TSA because we focus on the content of the baptism and the agape meal,

# 5 God chose TSA because we have a holistic view 

From impression to imprint

NORSK
"I will not forget ..." Paul wrote in yesterday's reflection. Today he writes "I remember ...". On both occasions it is a reference to the impression that Timothy made on Paul, impressions that became imprints on his life:

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
2 Tim 1:5 

I have already stressed how important it is that a mentor affirms his disciple (1), and here Timothy is affirmed once more. His qualities have already made imprints in other people's lives - even in his mentor's life. Tears that are not forgotten and a sincere faith that is remembered, give us a picture of a passionate and genuine young man who influenced his environment with his commitment to the gospel of Jesus.

I am so thankful to people who by their sincere faith and passionate commitment have made a strong impression on me, an imprint that will follow me for the rest of my life. 

Some of them have had leadership positions like e.g. General John Gowans; others belong to the large number of ‘ordinary’ Christians, but with an equally sincere faith and burning commitment as any celebrated charismatic leader. Only very few of you who read my blog, will have heard of them, but I carry with me the impression that they made on me. Imprints that remind me of Jesus.

Today 'manna':

A sincere belief creates an imprint

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(1) "Affirmation and accountability"

Try tears!

NORSK
When Paul wrote the following to Timothy:

Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
2 Tim 1:4

he did not say anything about the reason for the tears. 

They may have been caused by:

• the spirit of timidity
• Timothy's thoughts of not being able to share fellowship with Paul for a long time when Paul left him to continue his mission journey
• the burden to see people saved

The first reason is not constructive. I have touched this before (1) and I will likely return to the theme later. However, the two last ones are good traits for a disciple, because they express love and care. There are many stories from the life of William Booth, and he also believed in tears:

There is a story about two Salvation Army officers who set out to start a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to the General to close the mission. General Booth sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS". They followed his advice and they witnessed a mighty revival (2).  

Tears are an expression of passion, and God sees it!

‘Manna’ for today:

Tears work!

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(1) 'A mentor is clear and direct'
(2) See more here

Fiery passion and intensity

NORSK
I have known about Martin Luther King’s famous speech: ‘I have a dream’ since I was a boy. In connection with the fact that he yesterday would have turned 88, a radio-channel honoured him with a reference to the speech. 
According to the information given, Luther King began by sharing important thoughts from a manuscript. After a while a person in the first row of more than 200.000 listeners suddenly called out: ‘Tell’em about your dream, Martin!’

King left his manuscript, and then followed one of the most celebrated speeches in history. I believe it became famous because it was driven not only by a dream, but by an intense passion. That which comes from the heart, will reach its target. When Paul wrote about the spiritual gifts, it was the gifts of the Spirit he had in mind. 

The Holy Spirit lives in the believer’s spirit, and in the Bible the human heart is often used as a synonym for the human spirit. When Paul instructed Timothy to focus on Scripture-reading, preaching and teaching, he was aware of the fact that all these activities can take place without the intense passion involved in the “releasing the Holy Spirit”. I believe that is why he continued in this way:

Don’t neglect the spiritual gift in you that was given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on you.
1 Tim 4:14

Paul reminded Timothy about this already in the introduction of this letter (1), and he did it again in the introduction of the second letter (2). This confirms how important it is to have this dimension when I live as a disciple and want to fulfil the mission given to me.

‘Manna’ for today:

The passion of the Holy Spirit is vital for the success of the mission

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(1) See: ‘Pass it on’
(2) See: ‘The mentor is clear and direct’