TESTIMONY
‘God is in the driving seat’ Recently enrolled soldier Malcolm Dragon (Maltby) shares his testimony
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GREW up in a traditional Salvation Army family – a third-generation Salvationist, with godly parents and grandparents. I owe a debt of gratitude to them for their wonderful example. Indeed, when our parents passed away, my siblings and I created a Christian-based charity in their memory – the Chreda Foundation – through which we are privileged to provide regular grants towards The Salvation Army’s youth work. My early years were spent at Woking Corps, coming up through the Sunday school, playing in the YP band and singing in the singing company. Later I joined the senior band and songsters. I signed the Articles of War in 1967, a keen teenager, although naive, strong-willed and independent. In Mark 8:34 we read: ‘Then [Jesus] called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”’ This has been paraphrased in The Message as: ‘You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.’ For years, I overlooked that advice and tried to do things my way. The result – although I served faithfully and held several senior commissions – was that I made many mistakes. Despite a couple of renewals of my soldiership in the 1980s, my Christian experience suffered. I continued to worship at various corps for several years – first Woking, then Pyle and Bridgend. My wife and I were blessed with a son and I encouraged him to attend with me.
But, like many young people, he lost interest during his mid-teens. I take some responsibility for that, because I didn’t set the sort of good example that I had received during my formative years. I pray that some of my better moments might have rubbed off on him. For a couple of decades my standards slipped. But in 2020 I had a wake-up call. I was rushed into hospital, where I was told that I was fortunate to still be alive. I realised I had been given a second chance, so I determined to become a better person and a more effective disciple. At the post-lockdown reopening of Maltby Corps last year, I received a lovely welcome and was subsequently given the opportunity to join the band – a fellowship I had missed terribly over the years. I really appreciated the way everyone accepted me a nd made me feel so at home. On Sunday 13 March I reaffirmed my commitment during a rededication ceremony at the corps. I don’t know what the future may hold but, as Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’ (King James Version). Meanwhile, I’m trying to be a good soldier, under the inspiring leadership of corps officer Major Lucy Mann. This time, I’m not imposing my wishes on the Lord. This time, I go in his strength.
I’ll go in the strength of the Lord, In paths he has marked for my feet; I’ll follow the light of his word, Nor shrink from the dangers I meet. His presence my steps shall attend, His fullness my wants shall supply; On him, till my journey shall end, My unwavering faith shall rely. I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord; I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord. I’ll go in the strength of the Lord To work he appoints me to do; In joy which his smile doth afford My soul shall her vigour renew. His wisdom shall guard me from harm, His power my sufficiency prove; I’ll trust his omnipotent arm, And prove his unchangeable love. I’ll go in the strength of the Lord To conflicts which faith will require, His grace as my shield and reward, My courage and zeal shall inspire. Since he gives the word of command To meet and encounter the foe, With his sword of truth in my hand, To suffer and triumph I’ll go. (SASB 959)
Salvationist 23 July 2022
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