“No Fear” was scrawled across the shirts of many teenagers in my generation, a catchy slogan for a generation that thought we were above it all: No fear. A sense of power that could conquer any fears, rational or irrational. A sense of super-humanness that could overcome anything. A sense of being invincible; no harm could touch us. But behind that tough exterior there is an insecure heart with a lot of fear.
Most of my life, I have lived with some secret fears and some not so secret ones like my irrational fear of spiders or my fear of the mysterious unknown or even of loss. Fear is a normal human emotion that has been associated with weakness for far too long. Fear can protect us from harm, causing us to think twice about jumping off bridges recklessly or playing chicken with other cars on the road. However, fear can also be immobilizing and become an inhibitor, an excuse to avoid doing what may be difficult or challenging. But “God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
As we have prepared to enter the Red Light District of Baguio to speak life and value found in Christ to the Guest Relations Officers (GRO) or prostitutes, my own fears of not knowing what to say or how to relate and feelings of guilt about my privilege in comparison to their lack of access and choice have crept into my thoughts and slowly whittled away at my boldness to speak truth in Spirit and in love. Yet, God reminded me that He did not ask me to do something beyond what I can handle and He promises that He will never leave me. When Moses commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the promised land, he said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord wore to their forefathers to give them… The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). Just as God called the nation of Israel into the promised land, He has also called me to faithfully bless the people of the Red Light District here. Just as He promised them an inheritance of territory, He has also promised me the inheritance of the nations (Psalms 2:8). Just as He promised them to be with them always, He also promises me that He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5-6). I have no reason to be afraid or to be discouraged because it is not my voice that speaks or my own wisdom or knowledge that I impart, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit within me that loves these women and it is the Holy Spirit that speaks the words that they need to hear.
Before Joshua led Israel in the marches that led to the fall of Jericho’s walls, “Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence… the commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:14-15). In obedience, he led the Israelites in seven consecutive marches around the walls of Jericho, the first six days in prayerful silence and the seventh with loud trumpet blasts and shouting in celebration and declaration of the power of the Lord. This is a reminder to me of what it looks like to enter into spiritual battle, equipped to usher in the Lord’s victory. When we enter the dark places in this world, like the Red Light district, we also follow this prescription of humbling ourselves before God in complete surrender and reverence for our Holy God, seeking His direction and guidance rather than trying to do it on my own or with my own abilities. We act in obedience patiently and prayerfully waiting for the time to use words. St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always; when necessary use words.” When it is time, we boldly declare the redemptive work of the Lord and celebrate the freedom we have found in Christ. We are breaking down the walls and strongholds that have been built up in the Red Light district.
Tonight, we went to the “white bridge” known for its cheap GROs and shared God’s love with many of the “beloved” there. We visited a hotel where a GRO was murdered by her client. She was in the midst of transforming her life through the Alternative Learning System (ALS), completing her education and learning new trade skills. On the ground floor of this very hotel, we met Pearla, a Filipina GRO with 5-year-old twins, who was abandoned by her “husband,” who immigrated to Chicago, abandoning her family. We spoke to her of God’s love for her and told her that God sees her as precious, beloved, and chosen. We also met Diana, a Filipina GRO who repeatedly said she wants her life to be transformed but didn’t know how to change. We shared Jesus with her and tonight she accepted Christ into her life, the first step to a transformed life. Even while we were sharing with these women, men would come by ogling and propositioning the women. Some were even taken away by these men. Still, we walk boldly with a spirit of power and love into the dark corners, praying for transformation and changed lives, against the temptation that entangles clients, and protection over the GROs. We fearlessly pray a blessing over these dark places and plead that God would reign here and His Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven.
