6 minute read
Testimony
Recently enrolled soldier Malcolm Dragon (Maltby) shares his testimony
IGREW 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)
Set out at the Lord’s command
Major Steve Smith considers our response to God’s directions
NUMBERS 10:11–36
IN 1911, two teams set out to be the first to reach the South Pole. The team led by Robert Falcon Scott approached each day according to the prevailing weather conditions and how they felt. If the conditions were favourable and they felt good, they would cover as much ground as possible, sometimes as many as 60 miles in a day. When conditions were unfavourable or they felt like taking a break, they would simply take a day off and rest in their tents.
The other team, which was led by Roald Amundsen, followed an entirely different strategy. No matter the conditions or their feelings, their commitment was to travel 20 miles every day – no more, no less.
Amundsen’s team completed their mission and returned safely. Scott’s team arrived at the South Pole a month later and all died on the return journey.
QUESTIONS
How do you approach life? To what extent are you consistent and committed, or influenced by feelings and prevailing conditions?
Maybe it’s just me, but I often wish that God would be a little clearer when issuing directions. Of course, we have – among other things – the Bible and direction of the Holy Spirit; but wouldn’t it be easier if God communicated by text, email or social media like everyone else, to remove any ambiguity as to what he wants us to do?
When the Israelites made their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, God directed them in a clear though somewhat unconventional manner. When he wanted them to stay put, a cloud would remain over their tabernacle. When the cloud lifted, they knew it was time to move on. They set out when God said ‘Go!’ and they stayed put when he said ‘No!’
QUESTION
If God directed you with unmistakable clarity, would you respond obediently or would you still be inclined to question him?
When the cloud lifted from above Mount Sinai, the whole of the Israelite nation – possibly up to a million people – set out ‘at the Lord’s command’ (v13). Can you imagine the sight? Twelve divisions of people, each with their divisional standard and led by a divisional commander, moving together – united in direction and purpose.
There is strength in united obedience of the Lord’s command. I’m certain that not everyone would have felt like
Through the week with Salvationist
– a devotional thought for each day
by Major Howard Webber
SUNDAY
We have heard the joyful sound:/ Jesus saves! Jesus saves!/ Tell the message all around:/ Jesus saves! Jesus saves!/ Bear the news to every land,/ Climb the steeps and cross the waves;/ Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command:/ Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
(SASB 939)
MONDAY
‘Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.’ (Joshua 22:5)
TUESDAY
Have I lost the sense of mission/ That inspired my early zeal,/ When the fire of thy commission/ Did my dedication seal?/ Let me hear thy tender pleading,/ Let me see thy beckoning hand,/ Let me feel thee gently leading/ As I bow to thy command.
(SASB 682)
