Born on September 12, 1861 in South Wales, Florence Eleanor Soper (later to be the wife of Bramwell Booth) had a pretty good childhood. Despite the death of her mother at age nine, Florence had the privilege of running around in her backyard (aka the mountains), rode ponies, studied under renown music teachers, and even had hopes of being a doctor. A lot changed for her, though, when in London visiting her Aunts: She happened to hear Catherine Booth preaching and gave her life to Christ and later to the Army.
Her relatives were upset with Florence because they thought that she was waisting her gifts for joining a movement of “converted drunkards and others who had a life of vice.” Florence didn’t see eye to eye with them on this. In fact she “envied these people for their faith and joy.”
Florence’s short testimony teaches us to stand and live for the truth of the Gospel. Even though her relatives were trying to hold her back and discourage her from where God was leading her, she didn’t turn back. Even though she had her own plans and ambitions, God gave her a new purpose and vision. She knew where she was called, and she knew Who called her.
On top of that, by envying their faith and joy, she affirmed what 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says: that Jesus’ call is for everyone:
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d]
She is also a stellar example of knowing the cost of following Jesus (allowing God to shape your dreams and future plans), and deciding to do it just the same. She lived out Matthew 8:18-22 and Mark 4:14-20 (specifically verse 20!):
[Matthew 8:18-20]
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
[Mark 4:14-20]
14The farmer sows the word. 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”
We need to remember that there is a cost in following Jesus, namely that we sacrifice our desires and pick up His. But this obedience was never intended to be one of drudgery, but of Life and Freedom.
1. Ask God what ministry he has for you at your school, your Corps, and at home.
2. If you are feeling unsure about what you feel God has called you to, take sometime to hang out and pray with your Youth Leader or Corps Officer. They have great wisdom to offer.
3. Also, if you feel discouraged, lean into God as your refuge and ask him to affirm your place and ministry. Seek out the body of Christ for encouragement and wisdom too.
Compiled from the International Heritage Centre Website.