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By David Cain, Lt. –
Jesus never promised that the path he leads us down will be easy. He only promises that it will be worth it.
The past two years at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) at Crestmont have been the most challenging and equally rewarding years of my life. Through it all God has proved himself faithful. As I approach the starting line to a life of ministry, I feel so grateful for the time of preparation that is behind me. This sacred accomplishment compels me to reflect on my past two-year experience.
Crestmont has taught me about community. The training college is a community of diversity and a bubbling pool of talent with no possible parallel. All called to the same ministry, my session mates and I have shared laughs and tears as friendships were forged to last a lifetime. At times we walked together and other times we carried each other on our shoulders; Crestmont has instilled the humbling truth inside me that I cannot do this work alone.
Crestmont has taught me about growth. I would have preferred to walk the path of least resistance but my experience at the training college has marched me head on into new and uncomfortable experiences only to emerge on the other side with a greater confidence in myself and a deeper trust in the God who walks with me stride by stride.
Crestmont has taught me about myself. The work of a Salvation Army officer demands a much more qualified person than myself. Insecurities have been my greatest enemy throughout my training experience. God has slowly but steadily been replacing each lie with a new level of confidence in who he is in me. No greater lesson could be learned than the continuing lesson of learning to trust in my Lord more deeply and sincerely than the day before. I am desperate for more of him today.
The apostle Paul reached a similar place in his ministry when he came to the realization that his own efforts would never be enough. Jesus responds to Paul’s pleas for help by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
As I proceed toward a life of ministry, I rest in the sobering reality that my efforts will never be enough and that I rest solely on the grace afforded to me. My prayer is that these Crestmont lessons continue to blossom as I seek to love his people more each day.
