The Whisper of God in the big moments: Commissioning Weekend
Last weekend was a big weekend in my life and ministry. After studying at The Salvation Army’s William Booth training college for a year as a distance learning Territorial Envoy Cadet, I was commissioned and ordained as a minister with the rank of Lieutenant. On Sunday 14th July at The Salvation Army’s together 21 congress, I, along with 12 others who were in the ‘Defenders of Justice’ session were prayed over, affirmed, commissioned and sent out to spread the gospel. This day was a culmination of a time of preparation which included a retreat day, covenant day, reflections, learning the 11 doctrines of The Salvation Army and lots of rehearsals!
The Sunday before we were commissioned, we went on a beautiful retreat day at The Royal foundation of St. Katherine, and at the end of the day we shared some of the things God had been speaking to us about. One of the cadets shared some verses from 1 Kings 19:11-12
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
They shared about how we can often look to the big moments of revelation from God, but often it is in that still small voice or gentle whisper. This stuck with me throughout the week and reflecting back on so many things that have happened in the last fortnight, the moments where God has spoken most have been in the whispers. So I thought I would share some of those whispers with you to encourage you to look for the still small voice in your own lives and situations.
A few days before the commissioning, we had Covenant day where we signed our covenants in preparation for commissioning. We had a beautiful time of worship and there were two gentle whispers that really affected me. The first was simply kneeling at the mercy seat to sign my covenant and thinking about all the people who had done this before me, including my parents. This was a very significant moment.
The second was one of my favourite scripture verses that seems to follow me around being used in worship. The verse is Romans 12:1-2 (msg)
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”
On the day of commissioning in the midst of the pomp and ceremony and the thousands of people, there were some beautiful and encouraging whispers. Over the day I met with, and heard from people who have known me at every step and stage along my life. They each encouraged me, cheered me on and assured me of their prayers. This was so special and significant for me.
Within the service we had the opportunity to pray with our Divisional commander and close family. My daughter, on seeing me dove straight into my eyes and while I was being prayed over, she lay one hand on my head and one hand on my shoulder. It felt like in that whisper, she was showing me in her own little way that she was praying too!
In the following days, I also had another couple of whispers. The day after commissioning, Paul and I decided to take some time just for ourselves so we went to an antique emporium in Stockport for a little mooch around. There I found a lovely trombone, and being a trombone player myself (I use the term player very loosely!) I decided to take a closer look and to my surprise I discovered it was a Salvation Army trombone made by SP&S. I had never come across one before. I had to buy it as a symbol to remember the journey I have been on.
Today I challenge you to look, even among the big moments, for the whispers of God and his still small voice speaking over your life.
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