Risky Business

Is the fruit worth the risk?

What do you think of that question? Is the fruit of the Gospel worth taking a risk? Are you willing to fully surrender, do what God asks of you, and leap into the unknown?

Whether we are spreading the gospel in America or overseas there are risks. People reject the gospel, people have their own thoughts and beliefs, people doubt, or don’t want to talk. 

We were assigned to read a book called Kingdom Journeys with our team and discuss the chapters. We got to the chapter about abandonment and this chapter hit me hard. The author Seth Barnes talks about what it means to abandon our lives and follow Jesus. We leave our friends, our family, our old selves and along the way we experience pain; but what happens is that we grow stronger from this pain. Seth also makes a point that this world is raising children in a way that surrounds them with this safety bubble. We cannot continue to do this. No, I am not a parent and I do not understand or claim to understand the hardships of parenting, but being a preschool teacher I feel I can to some degree understand the need to want to protect and help your babies. One thing I stand by with my preschoolers is I think what am I teaching them now that will stick with them for the long run? I was raised by a strong woman of God who protected me when she needed but let me fall and fail so that I could learn from my mistakes. A mother who stood by my side in quite a bit of chaos, prayed for me, and wanted the best but knew she had to step aside so I could learn to keep going but lean on the Lord to do so. A mother who understands that I ultimately belong to the Lord and the Lord has entrusted her to raise me. 

I have experienced twenty eight years worth of pain and suffering and I know more lies ahead for me. But is this any reason to stay locked up inside with what I know is safe? To not take a chance or a risk because it might involve too much or take me out of my comfort zone? Absolutely not. The Lord calls, I answer. 

“A kingdom journey is most effective when we abandon what we think we cannot abandon. With less, we discover the core of who we are. Our true self emerges from the rubble of the false self.”

“Our safety keeps us from moving to a place of intimacy.” 

Seth Barnes defines Abandonment as: A business of discarding lowlier desires so that we discover a true desire for God.

We have to exchange worldly items, shallow friendships, superficial prayers, etc and dig into the Word of God so he is our source of food and comfort.

When we think about abandonment and going into the unknown safety comes into play. Is this a safe trip? What if something happens? Can you get back home? How will they secure your safety? Now let me say that the Adventures in Missions organization is on top of their game and very aware of the dangers in this world and they do their best to keep us out of harms way. But when we travel we are choosing to say yes to the will of God so that opens up a whole new world. Our parents, friends, family, or AIM can’t keep us in a safety bubble and they shouldn’t; we were called, so we abandon and we go. Jesus never promised safety. He was beaten and crucified, his disciples were chased after, crucified upside down, hated, and beaten. But they still abandoned everything they had and chose to follow Christ. Do my squad and I plan to find danger and put ourselves in it? Of course not. But are we following the will of God and ready and willing for whatever lies ahead? Absolutely. Boldness is what I pray captures the hearts of B squad this year. That we be bold for the gospel, bold for Jesus, and bold in ourselves. That we be brave and not afraid to proclaim the name of Christ to those around us; not only overseas but with our time here in the states. 

Safety? For the birds! I’m risking security and comfort to leap into the unknown! What about you?!