“So, aren’t you scared?” Is a question I hear often these days.
With ISIS running around, Malaysian flights going nuts, and a general since of chaos in the world, I understand why this question keeps on occurring. Especially, considering that I will be gone a year and things change quickly. There is an unease in the air right now, and I think his unease is completely justified.
But to simply answer the question let me just say this: No. No, not really.
I see the reasoning, I see the warning flags. I’m not blind, but maybe I am a little reckless.
Fear isn’t an emotion I think we need to let control our lives. It is a healthy emotion, but I don’t think it should always be a ruling emotion. Donald Miller once wrote that “fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into leading a boring life.” Notice I just said CAN and not DOES; It doesn’t have to.
Far too often, I think we give the darkness too much credit; we forget the power of the light.
When the world seems the darkest, THAT, my friends, is when it needs the light.
The United States. Iran. Uganda. China. Russia. Brazil. Norway. Thailand. Israel. Whatever nation or people group come to your mind- we all need light.
If we fear the darkness and despair in this world, how then do we live courageously? How do we spread the light?
I don’t think light comes from spending 11 months on a mission trip. I just don’t. It can, but the lie is that its the only place.
If we are to be our brother, sister, neighbor’s keeper, then to what extent will we allow them to live in darkness? This doesn’t mean going door to door asking people if they know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, although it could. I think it comes from the love of Christ. From serving others purely just to serve; from buying someone else’s coffee; by donating our time and effort to others & by paying it forward. It can come from holding a door open, or holding someone when they just need another human’s presence.
We forget that light ALWAYS trumps the darkness.
Going into this, I realize that I’m not necessarily heading into a field of flowers. Nevertheless, I am doing it consciously.
There are days that I’m scared now, and I know realistically there will be times that I am scared while I’m gone. However, I’ve also come to understand that this can’t stop me.
Likewise, this can’t stop the church.
In Luke 9, Jesus beckons his disciples to pick up their crosses daily and follow Him. He doesn’t say anything about the political climate of the world, the obstacles, or the final destination.
He simply says COME.
Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds me of this truth: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
After all, Psalm 21:11 declares that “Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.”
I can’t really be scared. I’m taken care of, even if my physical conditions don’t necessarily reflect this.
Either way, in the end, I’ll be okay.
For this season, this is my Cross; a cross I am humbled to carry.
What is yours?
What would you do if you weren’t scared?
Would you leave? Would you make a change? Would you give that extra $5? Would you ride that ride?
What would you do?
