Thinkaloud | invisible support

… God … a sort of celestial assistant

W

e live in an emergency-oriented world, which - as Henri Nouwen writes in Clowning in Rome - pushes people to give up their long-range goals and focus only on the most pressing problems. “When a sense of emergency begins to pervade a culture”, he says, “short-term solutions, provisional care, and temporary aid easily obscure the need for carefully studied long-term projects.”

One of the problems of being driven by  “crisis planning” is that movements such as The Salvation Army often fail to realize that frightened people are reassured to know there are groups willing and able to minister God’s healing grace to front-line workers, as well as to society’s losers. Such a visible organization can be an anchor in difficult times to those who are not necessarily helped by the Army, but who trust the organization.

Such trust requires that those who deal with people-problems use all the resources God has placed at their disposal. Prayer, active seeking of God’s will, a careful reading of the history of problems and attempts to solve them, as well as that most useful gift of Spirit-directed intelligence – these are the organizational foundations that allow emergency help to be deployed where it is most needed. Research, development and sound planning are essential to the operation of organizations that work on the front lines of need.

The front-line workers must be careful to hear God’s call and respond in obedience. It is spiritually naive to think that individual gifts are enough to wage war against entrenched evil. Certainly God’s work needs gifted people, but only when their talents have been given to Him. The burnout that cripples so many caregivers may often be traced back to the incorrect assumption that the task to which God has called them is really theirs. God is thought of as a sort of celestial assistant to be notified when the going gets tough. Such foolishness is at the root of much despair, discouragement and withdrawal from active service.

No one is personally strong enough to bear the burden of impossible tasks. Christ is the great burden-bearer, and He has promised to take the load of care from all who are enlisted under His banner. More than that only He has true knowledge of every situation. Those prepared to be nurtured by His healing fellowship are those who do great things for this hurting world, but through His strength.

God has wholesome plans for this emergency-oriented world and the people in it. We know that emergencies will always be with us and short-term solutions will be required. Such solutions will be effective in the long run only when they are part of the intentional ministry of groups that support God’s front-line workers. This is His work, and in cooperation with Him the obedient find opportunity for joyful, trustful and effective service.

Writer: Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Ryan is a former Editor in Chief in Canada and the UK. In retirement he is a copy editor of theRubicon and the author of theRubicon series called Resurrected Writers.

3 Comments to Thinkaloud | invisible support

1. Colonel Ryan:

   Such truth. I’d like to extrapolate a bit from what you said and suggest that while aid must be given freely to all in need, when they need it one of the biggest gifts anyone in crisis can receive is to know they are welcome to become a part of the church.

   Thanks

   Andrea
Andrea614Regent on March 31st, 2008

2. My wife and I went to see a mobile home that was for sale. After the tour the lady said I have cancer and must sell because my rent is behind. I have all my stuff in storage and will lose it also. She said I went to some self help groups and they said you can get food stamps, but you have to become homless for any other help. Even prayer does not help she said. Wow this struck me big time as Iam a product of prayer so are you. After we went back home I said to my wife I have to help this lady. So after Sunday meeting [Max I was in uniform 87f, no cap} I took here a bag of grociers with some reading material and said we want to help you anyway we can, I will pick you up at 10.30am Monday and we will talk to Gary our social worker at the Corps. How many times have we prayed Oh God help this person and then just move on. See people The Holy Sprit moves us forward with the power of prayer. Help me out, do you think I was an answer to this lady`s call for help. We spend the winter in Palm Springs and my days at the Army where we receive large amounts of money from donners of all faith and it is put to great use in Jesus name and the social worker Gary receives no pay and feels blessed to be able to help others through The Salvation Army. Henry
Henry Armstrong on April 6th, 2008

3. Hello also commiting on Gary I worked with him for serval years it’s true Gary has never recieve any type of pay he does what he does from his heart he loves to help others, God gave him a gift to help others. Lord blesses Gary. He’s a dedicated Volunteer of the salvation army in Cathedral city ca.
   under the command of two Captains Captain Saul Doria and Captain Jessica Doria. these two I am also proud of they love the Lord with all their heart.
Arthur Loya on April 7th, 2008

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