It has been an absolute JOY getting to tell people about the cool things Jesus has done through the World Race and talk about the ways He’s going to use my squad in just a handful of months (AHH!!). Over the past three months since being accepted to the World Race, I’ve gotten several reactions to the news of my pursuit of 11 months on the mission field around the world. The primary one being this: “Is it safe?”
Many of my family and friends are hesitant to express support – financially or through prayer – because I cannot guarantee my safety on the field. I completely understand that (and I am so humbled and thankful for your care for me, you guys). I will be exposed to some gnarly bugs, foods that I probably won’t want to know the source of, water my belly will not be used to, people groups who are not very stoked to have missionaries in their communities, and other things that aren’t really classifiable as “safe.”
But here’s the thing: I can’t guarantee my safety here, either. In John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life, he talks about the “myth of safety.” We can feel safe where we are because it’s what we’re used to. My temptation is to stay complacent where I am because here, I am comfortable and hold an illusion of safety. But nothing guarantees my safety, and more importantly, my safety was never promised to me in Scripture. The Great Commission given in Matthew does not call us to physical safety; it calls us to go. Hebrews, Acts, and 1 Corinthians all talk about being called outside of our comfort zone for the sake of the Gospel. In Matthew 5, Jesus says we are like our Father when we love WITHOUT LIMIT, and that includes letting the name of Jesus and the Gospel be my constant outpouring regardless of whether I feel safe.
In Daniel 3 (with some pretty intense context – you should check it out!) talks about how God is capable to deliver us from peril and danger, and in that, we do not have to fear. And even if He chooses to let us face danger, He is still a good God.
I am fully confident in God’s ability to keep my team and myself safe while we’re travelling, ministering, and loving people over our 11 months on the field. But I’m also confident that if, in His sovereignty, I am at risk of illness, or if I’m hated for responding to the call to proclaim the Good News, HE IS STILL SO GOOD.
My prayer, then, is to have courage and confidence in God being Jehovah Nissi, our God of refuge. Even more, I know He is faithful to be present in the midst of sickness, difficulty, and whatever adversity I may face on the World Race. It’s not a promise that I’m going to be safe on the World Race (sorry, parents!), but man, we serve a GOOD GOD and He is going to bring glory to His name and WOW I am so excited to be a vessel of His goodness.
