Be Strong and Courageous

‘You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!’

This inspirational statement was issued by Catherine Booth, co-founder of The Salvation Army. And every day throughout New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, we courageously open our doors to achieve our vision: Together we live out the good news of Jesus Christ so that everyone can experience hope, wholeness and ongoing transformation—the fullness of life as God intended.

The world is waiting for us, and daily we see the rising cost of living, housing shortages and the complexity of life, which means the need for our services and opportunities to share the love of Jesus are increasing. We need to be realistic in caring for others, but also to care for ourselves, to spend time with God, set boundaries, rest and be refreshed so that we can be the most effective for God. This requires us to be courageous—to do what is right, not what’s easy—in the love and strength of God.

Our part of the world is waiting for us. I thank God for the many ways that we are seeing people find hope, wholeness and ongoing transformation as we continue to courageously step out in faith by sharing our own stories of how Jesus has transformed our lives, and showing love and compassion to the people we meet and support.

In Joshua 1:9, God gave the following promise to Joshua, as he took on leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ God was clear it would be challenging; however, Joshua could do it in the strength of God. We too can be strong and courageous because he is with us.

We serve God who called us, believing that hope and love and pragmatic kindness can change the world. The world is waiting for us!

Commissioner Julie CampbellTerritorial President of Women’s Ministries

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)

Kua kōrerotia e ahau ēnei mea ki a koutou, kia whai mārietanga ai koutou i roto i ahau. Ko tā koutou i te ao nei, he mamate. Otirā, kia māia; kua taea e ahau te ao! (PT)

A veika oqo kau sa tukuna vei kemudou, mo dou rawata na vakacegu e na vukuqu. Dou na kunea e vuravura na rarawa; ia mo dou vakacegu; au sa vakamalumalumutaki vuravura. (FOV)

Ham tumme i sab bataaya, ki jisse tum ham se saanti paao, kaahe ki tum ham se juṭa hei. Dunia tumme sataai. Lekin himmat rakkho! Ham dunia ke jeet lia hei! (FRHNT)

Ko e ngaahi me‘a ni kuo u tala kiate kimoutolu, Koe‘uhi ke mou ma‘u ‘iate au ha fiemālie. ‘I māmani ‘oku mou ma‘u fakamamahi: ka mou loto to‘a pe; kuo u ikuna ‘a mamani ‘e au. (TMB)

Ua ou fai atu nei mea ia te outou, ina ia outou maua le manuia ia te au. E maua outou e le puapuaga i le lalolagi, a ia outou loto tetele, ua ou manumalo i le lalolagi. (SOV)