How long will it be Salvation Army? How long before we see a
great move of God? How long before we witness the fullness of the
transformative work of the gospel of Jesus Christ across our land?
The question of “how long” is not a new question. When Jesus
comes down the mountain (with Peter, James and John) still shining radiantly
after being in the presence of Almighty God, he connects again with the other
disciples. The teachers of the law and the disciples were arguing. The reason
they were at verbal loggerheads was because there was a boy who was oppressed
by a demonic spirit and no one knew how to help. Let’s pick up the story in Mark
9:16-19:
“What are you
arguing with them about?” he asked.
A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed
by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it
throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes
rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay
with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
Jesus is indignant. And when we consider previous chapters
in Mark’s gospel, where the disciples couldn’t understand the miracles of
Jesus, we assume Jesus is a little frustrated towards the disciples. How long will
it take before you understand, that you have all it takes within you to help
bring freedom to this boy? But instead, you’re arguing. You’re complaining.
You’re caught up in theological pontification.
Forgive me friends, but as I read this recently, my mind
went to this beloved movement of which I am a part. I was convicted as I
considered The Salvation Army, and my role within it.
How long will I argue about meaningless mind-numbing aspects
of Salvation Army life, while I forget about the big picture of God’s kingdom?
How long will I moan and groan about change while the train
to transformation is leaving the station?
How long will it be before I value unity over uniformity?
How long will it be before I value relationships over
regulation?
How long will it be before I value salvation over stagnation?
There is hope
The story is not finished in Mark’s gospel. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. As Jesus heals the boy from the oppressive spirit the following conversation is happening in Mark 9:22b-24:
But if you can do anything, take
pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who
believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my
unbelief!”
There’s a similar statement recorded in Matthew’s Gospel in
relation to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:26 – With man this is impossible,
but with God, all things are possible).
Everything is possible for one who believes; Jesus is
telling the father of the sick boy. While the disciples and the teachers of the
law are going around in circles debating theological ideas, Jesus is bringing
freedom to this boy. And he’s showing the disciples, that anything is possible
if you believe.
So I bring my mind back to The Salvation Army. I know that
God is challenging me. While I may debate ideas and may question, “HOW LONG?!” I
know something deeper.
Jesus is speaking and saying: Everything is possible to the
one who believes.
I hear little whispers from Jesus:
Can I turn The Salvation Army
into a dynamic missional movement once again? Yes, I can!
Can I heal the hurts and pain
of the years gone by? Yes, I can!
Can I do a new thing, that
sees The Salvation Army move from surviving to thriving? Yes, I can!
With man or woman this is impossible. But with God, all
things are possible.
You and I may wrestle at times with unbelief regarding what
we think God may do in future days, but we can be certain of the promise:
Everything is possible for the one who believes.
We’re not there yet. We all know that. But friends… revival
is coming. God can do greater things. Get ready for it as you pray and believe
that Jesus is still at work amongst us.
