By Lt. Colonel Darlene Harvey, Territorial Officer Resource and Development Secretary
How do you want to start 2025? I love new beginnings and fresh starts. Many of us begin a new year with new year resolutions. We set goals for ourselves in health, spiritual life and relationships. Sometimes these goals are accomplished, and sometimes not. As we begin a new year, we can think about how we want to live with a purpose. We can have a new purpose.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV) says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
This year in the Officer Resource and Development (ORD) Department, we took time, as staff, to discuss the questions, “Why does ORD exist?” and “What is our purpose?” As a department, we brainstormed our function and role, while thinking about our partners. We desire to help officers fulfill their dreams and purposes in their callings through classes, certificate programs, seminars, and educational trips.
We defined our purpose statement as: The ORD Department exists to support The Salvation Army mission in the USA Central Territory. Its purpose is to equip with essential, effective, and edifying educational benefits and to facilitate development opportunities for officers, their children, and Salvationists for calling and mission.
God’s Word reminds us He has a purpose for each one of us. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) tells us “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As you enter this new year, ponder how God has created you and given you specific gifts. He has laid a foundation. What is His purpose for you and how will you serve Him this year? How can you use your gifts or talents to make a difference in your corps?
Think about what relationships are most important you, your family and friends, and those who are vulnerable and need your support. Ask God what His purpose is for you in serving them and helping them to grow this year. As I begin the new year, I want to be more intentional in how I use my time, in my spiritual disciplines, in my relationships, in my ministry, and with my health. I want to live with a new purpose.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) reminds us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We see that God’s purpose for us is to glorify Him. He wants us to be unified in sharing His love with others. We want to live with a new purpose, fulfilling His purposes! As we focus on His purposes, we know that our plans are more likely to be accomplished!
