At the end May my team was preparing to head into the chaotic country of Zimbabwe. We had a contact and an opportunity to serve all lined up and all we had to do was figure out the logistics. We had spent considerable amount of prayer the month before even thinking of entertaining the idea of stepping into that country. As we prayed as a team and individually we had heard from the Lord that we were to go. Some of us had heard a definite “yes” and others were told to trust. So with that we had prepared for our trip into Zimbabwe. Many of you have received emails from me that asked for prayer and support for our journey into a troubled place. I thank you for those prayers and support for my team.
We did not end up going to Zimbabwe. The Lord had closed many of those doors and has led us elsewhere this past month. I however have been struggling why He had called us there and then closed that door. I will admit that I had many hesitations at first with going into the unknown with so many factors that cut us off from safety, help, and other such things. I was one of those who had not heard directly from God. I had come to the point of going on faith and trusting that God would provide everything that I would need to not only be safe, but also to have the strength and guidance to do His work. I trusted Him!
And so with this journey being cancelled, I was confused, a bit disappointed and even a little bit relieved to say the least. But the question still remained: Why all this work to build up to nothing? Did we barely escape a fatal disaster in which if we had gone, would have been us? Were we not fit for the job God had intended? Or was it a test of faith?
I have come to the conclusion that it was the latter. My team leader Kim informed me that our whole experience may have been a test of faith. Were we truly willing to risk ourselves, our lives, to follow God into dangerous places? The truth is that we were!Abraham was tested in his faith in a very similar way. God had told Abraham that he would have a son, an heir. From his seed there would be many nations. And so after many years Abraham’s wife finally had a son. Now, one day God spoke to Abraham and asked him to sacrifice his son. To kill him on an alter to praise God. And so Abraham saddled up his donkey, took a few of his servants, and brought along his son, Isaac. He then tied Isaac up and with knife in hand; as he was about slay his son, the angel of the Lord spoke to him, “Do not lay a hand on your son. For you truly fear the Lord that you would give up your only son, I am well pleased”. And with that the Lord sent Abraham a ram to sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.
This shows that we must live by faith. We must truly fear the Lord. Team Open Road (my team) was ready to go into the unknown with the Lord as our only constant. We didn’t end up going, but God knew we were ready to follow Him into dangerous places. Are you ready to into dangerous places?
