1,907 days and counting
by Captain Brian Hoscheit
Keep it simple.” When I hear these words, I tend to doubt how this philosophy can get me through any difficult—and complicated—obstacle in ministry. Yet, the biblical maxim to “love God, love people” invited me to trust God and led me to love others as He first loved us (1 John 4:19). And Jesus’ simple invitation was “Follow Me.”
Until recently my wife and I served in Kirksville, Mo., since our commissioning in 2018. While we don’t have an official feeding program in place, my wife and I feed the hungry in most of our corps programs including Sunday breakfast before worship. By beginning these meals, we have ministered to others through van rides, assisting with errands and visiting homes. Eventually, we have been able to lead others to follow Christ, teach a variety of discipleship classes, enroll soldiers and install local officers. I believe relationships should have simple beginnings in order to gain others’ trust so they will accept invitations to spiritual growth.
It is a sad thing to let complications deter us from God’s calling.
When I was first called to be a part of The Salvation Army, I was quite simple-minded in the worldly sense. So many people in my life doubted me and doubted God so much that I was tempted to move on. If we try to simple-mindedly lay down our own plans instead of trusting God’s plan for us, life gets way too complicated. I think about how God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). That will take place by simply and faithfully following Jesus.
May God faithfully reveal His power in you as you decide to simply trust Him.
