When I received and accepted my call to Officership, there were doubts – as I’m sure you can imagine. The main cause of this doubt was the question: How will I survive? I had been blessed with a comfortable job, great benefits, and promising prospects for growth. But I knew I was called to full-time ministry and had to leave it all behind to follow God’s call as an officer of The Salvation Army.
The real question in my heart was whether I would still be able to provide for my family. Would we be able to live comfortably on an officer’s allowance? (At the time, I didn’t even know what the allowance was – this was purely an assumption.) These questions and concerns were honest and very real. But the answer didn’t fall from the sky – I had to jump in with both feet, test and trust Him, and see just how faithful God truly is.
Fast forward five years and seven months, and I can confidently say: He has been the sole provider. He has been faithful – even in moments when we didn’t expect Him to show up. He has done more than we imagined – exceedingly and abundantly. Not only have I been able to provide for the small family I had before entering Training College, but we have also seen God’s hand in providing for our growing family throughout this journey of serving Him.
The words of chorus 641 in the Salvation Army Song Book ring true in my life:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
The doubts and fears I once had – especially about being able to provide for my family – have all been overshadowed by God’s daily faithfulness. Every morning, in every appointment, every journey, through every family and individual we encounter, and in every challenge, He has proven Himself faithful.
Ministry – and life in general – has not come without its challenges. I have to be honest about that. But when I look back, I can smile even through the tough times, because God always showed up. His faithfulness fuels me to keep going, eager to see how He will help us overcome future challenges.
Hebrews 10:23 reminds us:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
“Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”
Yes, our God is faithful in all seasons. The sun, moon, and stars testify—and so do I—of His great faithfulness.
Amen and amen🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙇🏾♀️