by Captain Brenna Lee
One of my favorite things about being an officer is that every day is different. Each day is filled with a variety of ways we can choose to love God and His people.
Each appointment also brings variety. In my eight years of officership, I have held three corps appointments (Omaha North Side, Neb., Madison, Ind., and Indianapolis Fountain Square, Ind.) Additionally, I’ve served as intercultural ministries coordinator for the Indiana Division and have operated an outpost in Johnson County, Ind.
From appointment to appointment, sometimes even day to day, opportunities change, but the purpose of sharing God’s overwhelming love remains the same. Some days I’ve felt well-equipped to serve my community, and other days I’ve had no clue what I was supposed to be doing. I’ve learned both feelings are completely normal and have come to terms with it.
Since I don’t know everything, I need to recruit and raise up leaders. I am so grateful for the leaders who have been invested in the lives of others at each of my appointments. But sometimes it has just been me. You’re the officer, so tag you’re it! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities which have made me step out of my normal experiences, skills or abilities. These moments have brought the most growth and often the most joy.
Moments of joy where I’ve felt God utilize the skills and talents that He instilled in me were operating an afterschool program in Omaha, teaching dance classes in Madison and organizing an eightweek summer day camp at Indianapolis Fountain Square.
But there have been far more moments where I have been faced with an opportunity for service where I was underequipped or not prepared. For instance, operating a feeding program attended by more than 300 people in Omaha, responding to flooding in Madison the week we arrived at that appointment, or navigating a global pandemic and providing ample opportunities for our Indianapolis Fountain Square congregation to stay connected with one another.
Despite how I feel, I find God always provides. I simply need to be obedient and love the community to which He has led me and The Salvation Army has appointed me.
