“You’re doing what???”

For those of you who may not know, I have decided to spend 11 months of my life starting in August on a mission trip around the globe. This wild, crazy adventure is called The World Race.

Although I have dreamed of such an opportunity, it has only had a name for the last few months. The World Race is an incredible, scary, difficult trip around the world that will take me to Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Yes, that’s 11 countries. 3 different continents. 

To say that I am overjoyed at the opportunity is an understatement. I am gleeful, joyous, exuberant, and incandescently happy. This is truly my dream come alive. However, I would be lying to you if I said I haven’t had some fleeting moments of doubt. You know those moments; when you are in bed at 3 AM wondering, “Can I do this?” “What about the state of the world?” “Is this even safe?”

Ah… is it safe? I have been asked this question many many times. Is this safe? What about the global crisis right now? What about ISIS? Will you be in a group? How many? Will you have protection…and on the questions go.

I know these questions are precious, well-intentioned inquires. They are natural questions of concern and curiosity. However, for some reason, the “Is it safe?” question sticks out in my mind. I cannot escape it. Because when I do lie awake at 3 AM, it is the one on my mind…

Can I be honest with y’all? I feel that it’s ok to be real here (after all isn’t a blog supposed to be at least seemingly transparent?). Ok here it goes:

I have no idea. Truly. I do not know if it is safe. It is easy to claim certainty, but the fact of the matter is, I don’t know. And that is terrifying. And yet, it isn’t at all. Let me explain…

As a Christian, I have a beautiful, rich heritage of brothers and sisters who have stepped out in faith and have been faithful to GO and TELL. They have entered the dark world to spread the Light of the Gospel. And many, more than I can even fathom, have died, been tortured, and experienced inconceivable trauma and pain to share the Gospel. They sacrificed because He sacrificed first. They died because He died first. And now they LIVE because He defeated death itself. Their concern was not safety because it is UNsafe to allow people to NOT know of Christ’s love for them. Just as Christ boldy approached the cross disresgarding any idea of safeness or comfort. 

You see as a Christian, safe is not really in my vocabulary. Because when the God you serve put death itself in the grave, you have nothing to fear, especially death. 

Isis is a threat, yes. The world at large is a threat, yes. However, as a Christian, I must move out in boldness. Because I carry the only AID, HOPE, and ANSWER to the world’s problems: Jesus Christ.

In principle, what I am doing is not safe. It’s not supposed to be. And that’s ok. I know a Guy who makes all things new and turns even the worst of things, into the most glorious things.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all time; this world might not be safe, but my God is like a roaring lion, and evil is not safe from Him either:

 

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion” …”Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

CS Lewis