If doors should close

Have we hemmed God in asks Larry Ashcraft?

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of General John Larsson (R) and his wife, Commissioner Freda Larsson. The afternoon was well worth it.

My colleagues and I sang some of the great songs that the famous duo of Gowans and Larsson composed. We heard the stories behind the compositions and were inspired by narrative of the musical genius of these two men.

My style of musical taste really does not fall in line with what I heard today. I am more a Linkin Park
type of guy. I do enjoy the music of Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, my boy Phil Laeger ( Phil, don’t get a big head) and other writers of the new hymnody of our day.

Today was a different day though. We sang some of the songs I sang as a teen and a guy in my early twenties as an officer. One of the songs we sang was I’ll Not Turn Back. The chorus is famous, but there are incredible lines in the verses which stick out for me.

I pride myself on being somewhat unconventional. My viewpoints are less than traditional and sometimes people see me as bordering on the heretical.

As we sang today, a line struck me with incredible force from the song…

If doors should close then other doors will open.
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated, by narrow minds or prison walls restrained.

I am not sure of the whole story behind these words. Yet, my eyes met with a friend of mine in the room as we sang this. We both had a similar emotional reaction. We wept. I cannot speak for my friend, but I think I know that I have struggled in recent years with implementation of grand visions for the expansion of gospel, because there seems to be a refusal to see beyond common sense and protocol. I admit, I have fall often into that trap.

I was given assurance that God’s word is powerful and creative. It is even unconventional. I have no right to try to tell God how to operate. Protocols cannot get in His way either.

I was given a vision for what can and must be done in my life and in my ministry. I had my conscience pricked today about how narrow our minds have become when it comes to mission and the economic crisis we face. We see dry bones but God sees an Army. We see doom and gloom and no resources, but God sees that He has storehouses of resources.

Our narrow minds and polity often act as impediments to what the Word of the Lord wants to accomplish. Yet, scripture reminds us that the Spirit moves as and when He wants. If we don’t do it He will find someone who will agree to His plan.

I heard an illustration recently. I think it might have been one that General Larsson used. The speaker talked about how neat and orderly his office was. He talked about how papers were just so on his
desk and in his file. It was easy to do business that way. Life was precise, predictable and contained. In other words, the focus was very narrow.

The speaker went on to say that one very hot day he opened a window. As is often the case, a brisk wind picked up and began to gust in his office. He returned after a meeting to see that the papers had blown all over the place. Life was not orderly, but the wind had refreshed the space and made it cool and bearable, in a very unbearable and orderly place.

In Scripture, wind is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit. He blows in where he wants. I see it this way. As stewards of the Word, we can either keep everything neat and manageable or we can trust the Spirit to refresh, even though He may be messing up our protocols and pushing the Word forward.
“His love cannot be finally frustrated, by narrow minds or prison walls restrained.”

So friends, do you think - as I do - that we have tended to let common sense and protocol rule us too much? Has our polity become an impediment or a practical help to the gospel? Is it time we escape our narrow focus (I speak to myself) and allow the Holy Spirit to really show us how to operate? Have we just hemmed God in? Will His word really not be frustrated?

Writer: Larry Ashcraft has been a Salvation Army officer for more than 25 years. He serves as the General Secretary for the North East Ohio Division in the USA Eastern Territory. Larry and his wife Janet founded of the Eastern Territory’s Project 1:17 School of Youth Ministry and Mission in 2001 and recently turned over the leadership of the school. Larry and his wife have two sons and a daughter-in-law who are their pride and joy. Larry enjoys sports, reading and good political debate. Larry and Janet’s joint passion is to see the emerging generation engaged and discipled for the mission of God, through The Salvation Army.

4 Comments to If doors should close

1. Good stuff Cappy!!! Your words resonnate with me as I am preparing for yet another adventure. This time will I ask the Lord to bless my plans or will I be still until I know He is God and follow His lead. In order to follow His lead we need to keep the connection alive. We must increase our awareness of Him. Distractions like protocol or common sense (though I question how common that sense may be sometimes)are like the waves that drew Peter’s eyes away from the Master. I wonder if how I will respond when the Holy Spirit’s leading breaks protocol will if I will obey? During personal devotions…sure. In my own Holiness Meeting…sure. But what if the DC or someone is there? Will I second guess myself as to whether or not I am hearing correctly? Will I concern myself with his response over quenching the Spirit? Will I be too afraid of being perceived as “too spiritual” or “putting on a show”? I know one thing for certain…following the leading of the Holy Spirit means taking risks. Taking risks takes faith, but without faith it is impossible to please God. You and I both taken risks for far less greater of a reward than pleasing the Father. I saw let’s go for it and leave the rest to Him.
Robyn Bridgeo on June 18th, 2009

2. Thank you for sharing so deeply from your heart and spiritual experience. I was profoundly touched today as I read your words and quote from “I’ll Not Turn Back.” The words of that song have so often kindled the Spirit within me and also challenged me to keep going in spite of the difficulties I am facing.

   God bless you… Kathie
Kathie Chiu on June 21st, 2009

3. I love your questions.

   I find them as fresh at this moment… as they were in their previous form with countless “private” conversations on this area of discussion.

   I love that we’re more open to discussing this… well… out in the open.

   I’m leaning towards answering a question with a question:

   “… (as we) allow the Holy Spirit to really show us how to operate?” … would the real question be found in… is this present reality (earth) our home?

   Let us assume that we all agree it is not.

   Where does this leave us?

   In keeping with our founders visioning… in a time of war.

   History has taught us that while R&R (rest & relaxation) are important factors to being up to the task of war… WAR by nature changes the rules in how we act… what we invest our resources in… etc.

   That stated… the real question I’d encourage discussion and a call to action on… what are we DOING with our resources (time, talents, treasures) while we are here serving in this time of war?

   With our focus not on “feeling that others might judge us / compel us to alter how we respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit”… we’re better able to address what I believe your core idea is… answering the call.

   You stated “I was given a vision for what can and must be done in my life and in my ministry.” … I LOVE THIS!

   More and more of us have been given vision… yet fewer understand how to follow vision… let alone understand what God desires uniquely for them!!

   I pray you do NOT alter your call to “feel comfortable” by those around you… no matter the rank.

   I do realize it is easier for a non-officer to experience this freedom… yet I encourage you all the same!!

   imMEDIAtely yours,

   Errin Hogan
Errin Hogan on June 23rd, 2009

4. While driving to work today… I heard these lyrics and knew instantly they applied to the questions at hand here:

   Jesus Freak - DC Talk

   Separated, I cut myself clean
   From a past that comes back in my darkest of dreams
   Been apprehended by a spiritual force
   And a grace that replaced all the me I’ve divorced

   I saw a man with tat on his big fat belly
   It wiggled around like marmalade jelly
   It took me a while to catch what it said
   Cause I had to match the rhythm
   Of his belly with my head
   Jesus saves is what it raved in a typical tattoo green
   He stood on a box in the middle of the city
   And claimed he had a dream

   (chorus)
   What will people think
   When they hear that I’m a Jesus freak
   What will people do when they find that its true
   I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freak
   There ain’t no disguising the truth

   Kamikaze, my death is gain
   Ive been marked by my maker
   A peculiar display
   The high and lofty, they see me as weak
   Cause I wont live and die for the power they seek

   There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
   The sand that he walked was also his bed
   The words that he spoke made the people assume
   There wasn’t too much left in the upper room
   With skins on his back and hair on his face
   They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
   The pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
   Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

   (repeat chorus 2x)

   People say I’m strange, does it make me a stranger
   That my best friend was born in a manger
   People say I’m strange, does it make me a stranger
   That my best friend was born in a manger

   (repeat chorus 2x)

   What will people think
   [what will people think]
   What will people do
   [what will people do]
   I don’t really care
   [what else can I say]
   There ain’t no disguising the truth
   [Jesus is the way]

   —-

   Funny, several lyrics hit me in this related to the questions at hand… “the guy on the box in the center of the city”… the “high and lofty”…. and “The pharisees tripped when they heard him speak”… all good stuff.

   It is amazing how much we experience “what others think”… isn’t it?

   Thanks again for the conversations.

   imMEDIAtely yours,

   Errin Hogan
Errin Hogan on June 24th, 2009

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