I hate to break it to most of you but…
…I am not afraid to die.
(deep breath, stay with me, I love you Daddy)
I am afraid of some really weird stuff in this world (squirrels, birds, not getting a teaching job) but dying is not one of them. Why? Well, I have spend a lot of time thinking about this lately with people just non stop expressing their concern for me on this trip. Some people even question why would I want to go and risk it for (what they believe is a silly reason) Jesus. I try not to get too defensive.
Take away the fact that I not only KNOW but BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the Lord Savior of not just my life but the entire World. I also know and believe that God gave us free will to take that information and do with it as we please. I know and believe that some people have been so hurt and wounded in this life via others or even themselvs that they think that Jesus could never love them (WRONG) I know and beleive that some people in this world have never even heard the name of Jesus and therefor their free will to accept him or not is not even a question, which is not a fair playing field. I also know where I am going when I leave this earth, I will not perish for I will be rejoicing with those gone before me in the presence of Jesus, I have eternal life. A place where there will no NO more suffering, tears or heart ache. Why on Earth would I rather be here on earth where I am kicked down every day? I wouldn’t.
Therefor I am not afraid to die, becasue I know where I am going. Now with that, I am afraid for those who do not have the same peace and hope and Savior I have. I tend to get so frustrated with my friends, family members and strangers they they do not want this. My friends know I will not shove the bible down anyones throat, I know that its useally un-effective and turns to a debate over things other than the main point. ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT, a gift is free if you humble yourself to accept it. No, you, I or anyone else does not desrve it, but good things our Dad up in heaven loves us more than we hate ourselvs.
Getting back on track, if by this journey I can help ONE person come to know and accept Jesus and then die, no one should be sad, but rejoicing that the Kingdom has a new member. I believe in this so much that putting my life before some ones elses in order to expand the kingdom sounds perfectally normal. But really that act is copied from the one who did it first on the Cross now isn’t it?
“Behold I am sending you out as sheeps in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpants and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Jesus never said following him would be a walk in the park, will you still follow him?
(I was going to end it there but with all of that I will humble myself and ask yoou to PLEASE pray for saftey and protection for myself, my team, squad and squad leaders as we will (like Jesus said) be in the midst of wolves. I may say I am not afraid to die, but its not like I want to! Ok and take a deep breath and remember Jesus is protecting us and we will all be fine!) xoxo
