Over the last couple of days, I have been hit by some really shocking and difficult news: all international World Race squads were being sent home because of the coronavirus outbreak. Countries have begun shutting their borders down, so in an effort to keep participants safe, Adventures in Missions (the organization I volunteer through) made the difficult decision to pull them off of the field. It happened so quickly, and within hours, all squads began planning for re-entry back into the States. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain that they must be going through right now. The thought alone makes me confused, sad, and just about every feeling in between.
I had the privilege to meet some of these incredible people at training camp in October of 2019, and they are among some of the most passionate, Spirit-filled believers I have ever seen. Their drive for Jesus and the Gospel is next-level; it would inspire anyone to radical action for the sake of Christ. They inspired me and moved me, reigniting my fire for the Lord when I could have otherwise grown cold. I have loved following their journeys, seeing all of their pictures, and reading about the powerful testimonies God has been writing since Day 1. And now… suddenly… their Race seems to have come to a sudden stop. Whether this is for good or just until things start to resolve with the virus, there is still no clear answer.
And my heart is just BROKEN. How could this happen? I just don’t understand. Still, above every other emotion I am feeling, there is one that rises to the top of the list: ANGER.
Let me clarify. Anger is not a terrible thing in and of itself. In this season, I have been meditating on Ecclesiastes a lot more than usual. Ecclesiastes 3:8 says that there is “a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” There actually IS a time to feel angry, and there IS a time to act on it. But HOW in the world can you possibly justify a time to hate and a time to war? Aren’t we supposed to love and show mercy? Shouldn’t we make peace? Yes. We are and we should. HOWEVER, it would be naive to think that we don’t ever fight.
Remember, we are actually at WAR. We war against the powers and principalities of darkness (see Ephesians 6). Even Jesus Himself got angry when He saw money changers and merchants in the temple— when he saw the powers of darkness at play in God’s house of prayer! He literally WHIPPED them out of it! Similarly, we have a time (a DUTY, even) to get angry and ACT on it! We have a very real enemy, and we will feel very REAL anger when we see him at work (when people commit heinous crimes against humanity, when children and the elderly are abused, and when, dare I say it, Christians start to live passive lives). THAT should light a fire under your butt! Stand up and let out your WAR CRY because WE DON’T have the privilege of sitting completely idle!
So yeah. I’m angry. More than angry. I’M FURIOUS. Furious that the enemy (who comes to only steal, kill, and destroy) is attacking MY brothers and sisters. Furious that he is trying to steal this opportunity of a lifetime from them. He’s attempting to kill their hope of what Jesus is doing in their hearts and spirits right now. And worst of all, he is attempting to destroy this incredible opportunity for the Lord to be glorified!
BUT GOD be glorified above all else! And dang it, He WILL get the glory. He will win the war. He wears the VICTOR’S CROWN.
So what about my brothers and sisters who are coming home. “Their mission journey has just ended. The enemy won.”
Let me be perfectly clear. The voice that speaks the statement above is NOT speaking from the Lord. That is the voice of darkness. The voice of HELL. And you know what we say to Hell? We say, “NO!”
“Hell, NO!”
This is FAR from over. The enemy just revealed his hand, and now we know EXACTLY what his tactic is!
So say it with me!
Hell, NO! You can’t take our joy. You can’t take our hope. And above all, you can’t take glory from the Lord.
To my friends that are coming back to the States: change of tactics. You have been reassigned. The General— The Lord of Armies— is sending us new orders. The enemy is behind you. Turn and FIGHT!
When I came back from my first Race, I met with a World Race alum who told me that when you are fresh off of the field, there is an anointing on you unlike any other. This anointing is the same one you were given when you were first commissioned and launched on to the field— an anointing to take ground for the Kingdom with all of the weapons at your disposal. Pray for the sick. Bring the Gospel to the lost. Cast out demons in the name of Jesus (might I suggest the demonic spirit of FEAR?)! Pray without ceasing. Declare the truth of Scripture over your circumstances. Remind the enemy about Who has all authority! Know that in saying “goodbye” to your mission overseas, you are saying hello to your new mission in the STATES. The enemy is after your family. He is after your own life! DO NOT give him the satisfaction.
I’ll take it a step further. Welcome to “World Race America.” You may not be traveling around the States in a white van. But where you ARE going, continue to live for the Kingdom. Life is ministry. Ministry is life.
To those of you who are “not missionaries:” you are WRONG. If you call yourself a son or daughter of the King of Kings, you ARE an ambassador of the Kingdom. Like it or not, you ARE a missionary. You too must fight the good fight. Get angry and ACT NOW. You are equipped with the most powerful weapon of all— the sword of the Spirit, the very WORD OF GOD Itself! What will you do with it?
In a time of fear, let us all unite under this common enemy and cast him STRAIGHT to hell.
Seriously, think about what a STUPID move the enemy just made? Now, HUNDREDS of Spirit-filled missionaries are coming back at the same time. And they will continue to inspire and ignite the FIRE of REVIVAL in the Christians that have fallen asleep on the couch! Let’s flood our LANDS with praise and thanksgiving! Thank you, GOD, for your grace! Thank you for the Helper— the Holy Spirit Himself— who not only will lead us to live a holy life but also leads us in ALL truth (including HOW to fight).
Lord, You are HOLY. And we as Your image-bearers are called to be holy as well. But we don’t know the first thing about it apart from You. Holy Spirit, lead us in all truth! I thank you, Jesus for the incredible grace You have shown us. The grace that You paid EVERYTHING to give us. The grace that is proof of our inheritance. The grace you have shown us so that we may bring REVIVAL to the States. I pray a hedge of protection over every mind— every heart— that is hurting now because of the coronavirus. But I THANK YOU that this is the PERFECT opportunity, the perfect setting, for YOUR POWER to be displayed. Spirit, move! Spirit, inspire. Breath of life, BREATHE ON US! Yes and Amen!
In all things, be blessed!
AG
P.S.— Everyone, PLEASE wash your hands and stay home if you are sick. You can still fight even if you are at home. You don’t need it to be the “national day of prayer” to war in the Spirit. Remember, the fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much! That’s true all the time.
