Originally written in June 2017 as Adventures in Missions was evaluating some world events. I’ve previously posted about risk and safety here as well.
Ask someone to name Bible verses they’ve memorized and Matthew 28:19-20 is likely to pop up shortly after John 3:16.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
So many of us have memorized – and quoted – these verses. And for some of us, there comes a point when we’re asked to go at another level. Do we really believe this – ALL nations? GO? And suddenly, we have to grapple with deep and potentially scary things. How should Christians deal with fear? With risk? With the God-given protective instincts we have for our children? (And how do we navigate parenting adult children?)
How does wisdom and common sense intersect with a reliance on God’s protection? Especially when people, particularly younger people, believe they are invincible?
Has fear compromised the impact of the Church? How do we draw the “right” boundary lines? Is there a difference between a call to go into known and likely dangerous situations and an expectation that disciples be willing to lay down their lives if they find themselves in a situation that asks that of them?
Why do we go there (wherever there might be) when there are “safer” options – and kingdom work which can be done elsewhere?
If we have children who go on mission trips or into humanitarian relief situations, we deal with these questions. These are good and real and honest questions. We pray. We wrestle with the Lord. International news and travel warnings impact us on a very personal and emotional level. We have life experience and wisdom our kids may not have – and we have kids, including adult kids, whose boldness and call – and location – may concern us.
How do we align ourselves with God’s heart when there is so much at stake that scares us? Why should we even consider going into harder, riskier places? I am not minimizing the questions I’ve asked up to this point. It’s important to talk about “if” and “how” and “when”, but can we suspend those questions temporarily? Set those filters aside for just a while? What if we ask the “whether” and “why” we should go questions first?
- Is there a need? The answer is yes. There is heart breaking and gut wrenching need. Children in danger. People being trafficked. Whole communities in danger from floods or earthquakes. Refugees who have lost everything. Poverty levels, illnesses and oppression beyond what we can imagine. Men and women in physical and spiritual bondage. And Jesus’ plan is “us”. There is a persistent call in Scripture for more laborers, and for compassion toward the widows and orphans (and other people in need). (E.g., Matthew 9:35-38; James 1:27; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25:34-40)
- What does scripture say about risk? Scripture is full of people who risked their lives to follow the call of God. Moses faced Pharaoh at great risk to himself and even though he felt inadequate. Gideon was fearfully hiding in a wine press when the Lord called him to fight an enemy – and then took away most of his fighting men. Prophets confronted kings who had the power to imprison or kill them. In the New Testament we see Paul and Barnabas described as men who risked their lives for the name of Jesus (Acts 15:25-26). Paul commends Priscilla and Aquila for risking their lives (Romans 16).
- Can we learn anything from how Jesus sent out his disciples? Jesus’ disciples were sent out as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). When we are sent out as lambs among wolves, we are sent to bring the Kingdom. In Isaiah 11:6-8, in the midst of one of the better known prophecies about Jesus, we’re told that the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat. Going as a lamb among wolves means we live in expectation for the coming of that Kingdom and we want to be part of bringing it about.
- Is it possible we are the answer to the prayers of Christians around the world? We have Christian brothers and sisters who serve in difficult situations and who face oppression and persecution. Their stories should not be ignored. Many of them are pleading with God to send help and encouragement in the form of other believers and workers.
- What if going opens our eyes to the plight of others around the world? It is good for our eyes to be opened. We come away changed. We are more compassionate and empathetic and proactive. We become better advocates for change in the world.
- How should we view martyrdom? This is the one no one wants to talk about. Martyrdom is historically one way people come to know God. I don’t believe Christians are supposed to proactively seek martyrdom in the way others (e.g. suicide bombers) do. And the missions organization I work for places a high priority on managing risk wisely. But in the New Testament we see the martyrdom of Stephen – and we know Paul was a witness to it. Many of us who are parents of adult children grew up hearing the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and 3 other young men who were killed by a remote tribe in Ecuador – and whose family members went on to live with the tribe and begin to introduce them to Jesus. It is an inspiring story, but Jim Elliot was someone’s 29-year-old son when he was martyred. As Christian parents, can we get to the point where we can say that dying on the mission field, if it should happen, is not the worst thing that can happen to our kids?
How do we develop a willingness to hear the Lord say – to us or to our kids – “Go”? Especially in situations where it seems to us the answer should clearly be “Don’t go”. Can we start with an honest and fearful prayer of “should they go” – for the sake of the Kingdom or the name of Jesus?
I am aware of the dangers of implying that you are somehow less “spiritual” if you wrestle with this, or if you hear a “don’t go” after an open and honest process with the Lord. That’s not my intent. And I do believe the Lord often says “go somewhere else”. My intent is to encourage you to press beyond fear, to press beyond even “common sense” for a moment, and connect with the heart of God. To be willing to ask “Is this a time when Your ways are not my ways?”
As I am writing this [the original post in June 2017], we have a World Race squad whose situation is making this real. Our Risk Management team and Adventures in Missions leadership is evaluating options. As the parents wait for a decision, Jamie, one of the moms, shared something the Lord did in her:
What I have found very helpful and encouraging today was spending time in worship, that displaces my fear with faith, and reading the Word, which always brings life and light. Also, revisiting the book Kingdom Journeys and rereading some of the “tough parts” about releasing Racers and embracing our own kingdom journey. One special insight today: God had me pray for the people of [specific country] and challenged me to this: “What if the people of [that country] are praying for Christians to come, and what if those Christians are our kids?” Whoa, that was heavy. I spent most of my day praying for my Racer and your Racers, but then He flipped it on me, and said pray for the people of [that country]. I must admit, this is not easy, because the Holy Spirit is trying to give me another perspective and it is not the one my flesh wants to see. God bless you all. Praying for all of you parents too!
The struggle is real. But it’s important.
Betty's Thoughts 