A friend of mine wrote to me the other day telling me that her daughter feels she might one day be called to the mission field in China. What an awesome young 12 year old!!! Her fear, however, was what if she gets there and gets scared? Well, Hailey, you probably will get scared but not only in the way you think. Let me explain:
When we first got to Africa we were scared. We were scared of leaving our family and our friends and our job and our home. We were scared of leaving the comforts of the "easy" life in America. We were scared that our church and friends would forget us. We were scared that we wouldn't be able to raise the money to support our family. We were scared that we wouldn't be able to accomplish the job that the Lord called us to. We were scared for very normal yet selfish reasons.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
How amazing it was to see these fears literally disappear! It's hard to explain unless you've experienced it but trust me when I say that the Lord still performs miracles and He truly does give you a "peace which surpasses all understanding" when you follow HIM. Trust HIM and He will NOT let you down.
Our next fear came in a physical way. One month after we arrived in Malawi the country experienced rioting and deaths in a way that had never occurred here before. Malawi is known as the "warm heart of Africa" and her people are some of the most gentle, kind, loving people I've ever met. Yet we were very new to Malawi and here were these riots that we could hear right outside. We were under a self imposed house arrest and we were scared.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)
Again God showed us HIS peace and HIS strength. Our fears were calmed and our resolve to follow HIM was even stronger. He protected us. He comforted us. We put ourselves into a position to have to depend on HIM alone and He did not let us down. Again, trust HIM! He will not fail you!
Today our fears remain. But they are different fears. We no longer fear for our safety as we have learned to trust the Lord in this. We no longer fear for our finances for the Lord has called an amazing team of HIS people to provide in amazing ways. He truly takes HIS offerings and multiplies them according to our needs and the needs around us. This is an amazing miracle that you have to see to believe. We no longer fear that we will miss the "comforts" of home. Yes we miss them, yet we don't yearn for them the way we expected. We are happy and have a peace knowing we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. Therefore the comforts of home pale in comparison to following HIM and doing HIS will.
Today our fears are for our ministry. We are here for the Lord and to follow HIM in whatever way HE wants. Our fear is that somehow we will mess this up. We fear that we won't do daily what HE has called us to do. We fear we won't hear HIM and follow HIM in the next step that He has prepared for us. Our fear is that we will miss out on the blessings that we know He has in store if we follow HIM. We are in complete dependence on HIM and this is an amazing place to be. Yet it's also very scary on a human level. In order to follow HIM you have to be able to hear HIS voice. Our fear is that we will miss it. Change is scary.
So what do we do? We get into the Word. We pray. We seek Godly counsel. We pray. And then we pray.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
(Psalm 62:5-8)
So yes, Hailey, we do get scared. But this bring us closer to our Lord, closer to HIS will, closer as a family, and closer to figuring out HIS plan for our lives. Fear can be good. It's a healthy fear and it's amazing fear. So trust HIM and follow HIM no matter what. For the biggest fear I would have is if I didn't follow HIS voice!
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”
(John 10:27-30)
Jill
