Written by Lt. Johnny Miller
As corps officers, we planned to have a worship service on Christmas Eve to conclude the long season of kettles and service. We anticipated it would be attended by probably 40-50 people. After the service, we’d arranged for a Christmas dinner since many of those who would attend worship wouldn’t have a meal on Christmas Day. Thirty minutes before service began, people started to walk through the doors. Soon our chapel was overflowing, and we had to move the program into the corps gym. The estimated 40-50 people turned out to be closer to 200! We were both excited and terrified.
I’m sure my wife felt like Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish. On a day when we tried to control the outcome, God surprised us. He brought people, and we are certain He multiplied the food. But most of all, He filled our hearts at the end of a season when we were exhausted. Honestly, if we had followed our plan, we would have rushed through that intimate Christmas Eve service and then into lunch so we could go home. But we are so grateful God used that moment to teach us to slow down even when we are exhausted so we can see Him work.
Officership does not fit into a neat mold. I’ve found that in the times it doesn’t, I can expect God to show up and do a new thing because that is what He does. His surprises and blessings know no boundaries, and His timing is always perfect.
