Samuel Logan Brengle; a young, highly-trained evangelist in the late 1800s, left a promising career ministry in the United States, to interview with the Salvation Army’s founder, General William Booth. Upon his arrival in London, the enthusiastic Brengle was greeted by the General in a rather unemotional and distant manner. Booth considered him one of the “dangerous classes.” He thought Brengle, having been his own boss for some time, would be unwilling to submit to the obedience the Army required.
Brengle convinced the General to accept him into the Army’s service on a trial basis, and was assigned duty at one of the field training depots. Brengle’s heart was quickened as he prepared himself to enter into the service of winning souls. He was unprepared, however, for the task that awaited him. Much to his disappointment, the first responsibility he received was to shine the boots of the other cadets, rather than apply his abilities in direct ministry.
As Brengle began his work, he was irritated at the thought of “wasting his talent” shining boots, when he could have been preaching the Good News—a task he was exceptionally gifted to perform. It wasn’t long into the process before the Lord pricked his conscience with a reminder that he himself had washed the feet of the disciples. Brengle’s heart was broken before the Lord, and he began to pray differently. His new prayer became, “Dear Lord, let me serve the servants of Jesus. That is sufficient for me.”
Brengle’s life was dramatically altered by this event. Prompted by this new heart perspective, his ministry began to flourish, and he went on to greatly influence the Salvation Army as one of its early leaders. The lesson Brengle’s story carries, reaches across generations to impact the lives of Christian leaders today. It’s a reminder that God’s call is a call to humble service, not only to God, but to those who work under our leadership...in other words, serving the servants of Jesus.
Several years ago, I experienced an empty, dark time in my own life. I felt as if I were living in Genesis 1:1—a world without form, and void. God’s silence was deafening and the darkness was thick and suffocating. As I worked my way through the circumstances surrounding me, I came upon Brengle’s story; related in the book Focused Lives, by Dr. J. Robert Clinton. When I came across Brengle’s prayer, it leapt from the pages and resounded from the walls. God was revealing to me the source of my emptiness. It was my own personal ambition that stood in the way.
I had become so focused on using my skills, talents and abilities for God that I had allowed it to eclipse his directive to first be a servant. I was as broken as Brengle had been over 100 years ago. I began to realize it was not my giftedness God wanted, but rather my brokenness, so His ability could work through my inability. I was learning again not to rely on my own capabilities, but to humbly accept God’s will and purpose working through me.
Often God allows our hearts to be broken time and time again, so we can come to the place of assured reliance and dependence on his power working in and through us. Just as a wild horse has no real value, other than to be admired, so is an unbroken leader. As we allow ourselves to be molded and shaped by God’s hand, our ministries can begin to profoundly impact those we serve. The ability to leave a ministry legacy requires spiritually healthy leaders and staff who have learned that brokenness is the beginning of usefulness.
What a powerful lesson - thanks for sharing. I seem to need to relearn it many times. Years ago God spoke to my heart that the highest title in His Kingdom is "servant." I'm putting a copy of this devotional in my prayer journal next to the page that recalls that initial lesson.
Posted by: Sandy | August 16, 2008 at 05:04 PM