Ask someone to name Bible verses they’ve memorized and Matthew 28:19-20 is likely to pop up shortly after John 3:16.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
So many of us have memorized – and quoted – these verses. And for some of us, there comes a point when we’re asked to go to another level. Do we really believe this – ALL nations? GO? And suddenly, we have to grapple with deep and potentially scary thingsHow should Christians deal with fear? With risk? With the God-given protective instincts we have for our children? (And how do we navigate parenting adult children?)
How does wisdom and common sense intersect with a reliance on God’s protection? Especially when people, particularly younger people, believe they are invincible?
Has fear compromised the impact of the Church? How do we draw the “right” boundary lines? Is there a difference between a call to go into known and likely dangerous situations and an expectation that disciples be willing to lay down their lives if they find themselves in a situation that asks that of them?
Why do we go there (wherever there might be) when there are “safer” options – and kingdom work which can be done elsewhere?
If we have children who go on mission trips or into humanitarian relief situations, we deal with these questions. These are good and real and honest questions. We pray. We wrestle with the Lord. International news and travel warnings impact us on a very personal and emotional level. We have life experience and wisdom our kids may not have – and we have kids, including adult kids, whose boldness and call – and location – may concern us.
How do we align ourselves with God’s heart when there is so much at stake that scares us? Why should we even consider going into harder, riskier places? In coming posts, I’ll get to the other questions mentioned at the beginning – and I am not minimizing them just because they will come later. It’s important to talk about “if” and “how” and “when”, but can we suspend those questions temporarily? Set those filters aside for just a while? What if we ask the “whether” and “why” we should go questions first?
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Is there a need? The answer is yes. There is heart breaking and gut wrenching need. Children in danger. People being trafficked. Whole communities in danger from floods or earthquakes. Refugees who have lost everything. Poverty levels, illnesses and oppression beyond what we can imagine. Men and women in physical and spiritual bondage. And Jesus’ plan is “us”. There is a persistent call in Scripture for more laborers, and for compassion toward the widows and orphans (and other people in need). (E.g., Matthew 9:35-38; James 1:27; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25:34-40)
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What does scripture say about risk? Scripture is full of people who risked their lives to follow the call of God. Moses faced Pharaoh at great risk to himself and even though he felt inadequate. Gideon was fearfully hiding in a wine press when the Lord called him to fight an enemy – and then took away most of his fighting men. Prophets confronted kings who had the power to imprison or kill them. In the New Testament we see Paul and Barnabas described as men who risked their lives for the name of Jesus (Acts 15:25-26). Paul commends Priscilla and Aquila for risking their lives (Romans 16).
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Can we learn anything from how Jesus sent out his disciples? Jesus’ disciples were sent out as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). When we are sent out as lambs among wolves, we are sent to bring the Kingdom. In Isaiah 11:6-8, in the midst of one of the better known prophecies about Jesus, we’re told that the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat. Going as a lamb among wolves means we live in expectation for the coming of that Kingdom and we want to be part of bringing it about.
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Is it possible we are the answer to the prayers of Christians around the world? We have Christian brothers and sisters who serve in difficult situations and who face oppression and persecution. Their stories should not be ignored. Many of them are pleading with God to send help and encouragement in the form of other believers and workers.
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What if going opens our eyes to the plight of others around the world? It is good for our eyes to be opened. We come away changed. We are more compassionate and empathetic and proactive. We become better advocates for change in the world.
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How should we view martyrdom? This is the one no one wants to talk about. Martyrdom is historically one way people come to know God. I don’t believe Christians are supposed to proactively seek martyrdom in the way others (e.g. suicide bombers) do. And as an organization we place a high priority on managing risk wisely. But in the New Testament we see the martyrdom of Stephen – and we know Paul was a witness to it. Many of us who are parents of adult children grew up hearing the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and 3 other young men who were killed by a remote tribe in Ecuador – and whose family members went on to live with the tribe and begin to introduce them to Jesus. It is an inspiring story, but Jim Elliot was someone’s 29-year-old son when he was martyred. As Christian parents, can we get to the point where we can say that dying on the mission field, if it should happen, is not the worst thing that can happen to our kids?
How do we develop a willingness to hear the Lord say – to us or to our kids – “Go”? Especially in situations where it seems to us the answer should clearly be “Don’t go”. Can we start with an honest and fearful prayer of “should they go” – for the sake of the Kingdom or the name of Jesus?
I am aware of the dangers of implying that you are somehow less “spiritual” if you wrestle with this, or if you hear a “don’t go” after an open and honest process with the Lord. That’s not my intent. And I do believe the Lord often says “go somewhere else”. My intent is to encourage you to press beyond fear, to press beyond even “common sense” for a moment, and connect with the heart of God. To be willing to ask “Is this a time when Your ways are not my ways?”
As I am writing this, we have a World Race squad whose situation is making this real. Our Risk Management team and Adventures in Missions leadership is evaluating options. As the parents wait for a decision, Jamie, one of the moms, shared something the Lord did in her:
What I have found very helpful and encouraging today was spending time in worship, that displaces my fear with faith, and reading the Word, which always brings life and light. Also, revisiting the book Kingdom Journeys and rereading some of the “tough parts” about releasing Racers and embracing our own kingdom journey. One special insight today: God had me pray for the people of [specific country] and challenged me to this: “What if the people of [that country] are praying for Christians to come, and what if those Christians are our kids?” Whoa, that was heavy. I spent most of my day praying for my Racer and your Racers, but then He flipped it on me, and said pray for the people of [that country]. I must admit, this is not easy, because the Holy Spirit is trying to give me another perspective and it is not the one my flesh wants to see. God bless you all. Praying for all of you parents too!
The struggle is real. But it’s important.
SO MUCH encouraging truth here; thanks for looking at the hard questions!
Very good word. I pray every morning for my daughter her team and all the World Racers. We need to trust the Lord to protect our children but also use them for His glory. They are touching so many lives!!
I especially like this question: “What if the people of [that country] are praying for Christians to come, and what if those Christians are our kids?”
If our faith doesn’t extend to this kind of hard question, it needs to.
Betty,
These are certainly questions all of us who are parents wrestle with. The only thing I have found that increases trusting God with my kids is PRACTICE doing it. That means remembering all the times he has proven himself trustworthy, and knowing he will do it again. Thanks for voicing these questions…great food for thought and prayer.
Thanks Bronwen.
Thank you Keith and Karen. You’re right. Overprotection has its own dangers. We appreciate your trust in us and we don’t take that lightly.
Thanks Seth. I’m grateful for a faith that allows us us to be honest about hard questions and calls us deeper as a result of wrestling with them.
That’s part of the “hard stuff” isn’t it? The idea that we benefit from lots of practice.
Betty, I read the posts from other parents about the decision to go or not to go carefully knowing how I would feel if I were one of those parents. I chose not to comment on any of those posts because my Racer seems to be in much nicer places. so I don’t want to speak as if I truly am walking in their shoes. I do have a stepson who has spent way too much time in Iraq and Afghanistan, so I do know what it feels like to have no control over your loved ones safety and situation and all you can do is pray. I also know that as much as I pray for the safety of my Daughter who is in far away places but close to the Lord, I am actually praying more and have more concern for my son who is right here in the safety of my home but far from the Lord.
Betty – thanks for this post; it really re-affirms the very issues that we, as racers’ parents, have thought about, prayed about, and struggled with. I think this is a time when there is a clear collision of our culture (comfort, safety) with Jesus’ command. Praying for all the racers, the people of these countries that are being exposed to the Gospel, parents of racers and of course the World Race staff.
While my child is not on Q Squad, I have been following the issue and praying for AIM admin, parents and the Racers. Certainly this is a unique scenario where the messengers are young adults. Yep t it seems to me that ‘station in life’ is at the fulcrum of consideration. References to biblical missions seems to indicate self sufficient individuals making a decision to “go” based upon their own call and ability. In the AIM model, most of the individuals answering the call to missions is based upon a “short term” commitment and ‘aided’ by parents and/or others willing to support that call. Because of these young people’s ‘station in life’ there is an imputed degree of care that someone older or more independent would not have. I have never “worried” about my daughter/racer’s situation. God has plans for her and her Squad/Team that I am not associated with. However, because AIM sought to include families in the sending process (Atlanta send off) the consideration of those same families is wise. Certainly there are many people groups who desire and need to hear the Gospel message, but there seemed to be a duty of care implied to parents sending racers. The Q Squad lmatter seemed to me to be handled thoughtfully and with appropriate dilliberation. May these racers continue to have blessed experiences and parents be filled with peace and awe of the work being done in and through the racers.
Liz – You make a couple of points that I think are important. Military parents really do face this very directly, and the purpose of their kids being where they are is often to actively engage danger. That has to be very hard for parents. And your other point, about kids who are far from the Lord – and the prayers and concerns you feel there – is something so many parents experience.
Leslie – Thank you. We are grateful for your prayers.
Thank you Kirk. You are right that we can’t promise safety no matter where we are, and the world is increasingly giving us almost daily examples of that. Thank you for your insights and your trust.
Robert – Thank you. You raise some of the points that we, as an organization, deal with regularly and that are hinted at in some of the questions at the beginning of this post. I hope to write a few more posts in the coming days/weeks that talk about some of those. I agree with you that an individual call can be different than a “group” call and we want to navigate that well.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and Scripture from the heart of God! You ask some very good and very tough questions!! As a mom of 4, these are questions that I have had to face many times. I joke with my older two about how they are not making it easy on Mom in the worry department. My oldest daughter is on the World Race sharing the Gospel with strangers in a foreign land. My oldest son is a full-time firefighter who runs into danger at a moment’s notice to help people he doesn’t even know. My youngest two have not yet entered the foreign mission field or decided on a career frought with danger, but who knows where and how God will call them as they grow into adults. One thing I do know and place my hope in is that God is Sovereign and He will lead my sons and daughters. I pray that each of them is sensitive to His voice and will follow as He leads. God doesn’t promise us safety. He commands us to “Go and make disciples!” and He asks us to follow Him. And God promises that He will be with us. My prayer for my children and for all the sons and daughters in the mission field at home and abroad is that they seek God’s will and follow as He leads, resting in the center of His will.
Cindy – You do understand the releasing process! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Betty for sharing this blog. So much wise and important information. I totally agree that the Christians the nations are praying for are our kids. After Taylor signed up for the Race and I started researching and digging into what AIM is and the vision, I honestly was never worried for her safety….I was very anxious about not hearing from her, and I dealt with trust issues with the Lord, but never really for her safety. I always trusted AIM and God to take care of her safety. I always believed that if God called her to this specific mission field, He would take care of her. That being said, I also asked her to be smart in sticky situations, be safe and think wisely, and most importantly don’t tell me about dangers until after she has been safe!
I also think its important to see the devastation around the world that we only hear about or see on TV. I experienced this during PVT in Swaziland. I mean I know there is poverty and sadness and darkness in the world, but I if I am honest, I really think I put all of that in a bubble….knowing its there, but also wondering if TV just magnified it for ratings or just being the media!! Driving through the country on the way to the PVT site was eye opening in a way…but in a breathtaking way…I had NO idea how beautiful and green and mountainous Swaziland would be. I just rode and looked out the window and took it all in. Then a little more eye opening driving through Manzini…I though it would be bigger, more like a city, like a city in the US…but it wasn’t. It was small and dirty and looked poor. People were everywhere walking…everyone walking. I had no idea! But the biggest eye opener, the moment I knew TV didn’t lie, the news was right, was stepping off that bus at the care point and seeing those kids. Those tiny, dirty, messy faces captured my heart in the first 30 seconds. I didn’t care that they were dirty and smelly. I just wanted to hug and love them. I didn’t care they were wiping their snotty noses on my skirt or shirt, didn’t care if they were rubbing their dirty little hands all over my face and hair. I found myself welcoming it. It opened my eyes to the sadness of the world, but in that sadness, those people changed my life and my thought process. I didn’t leave feeling sorry for them, I left feeling sorry for me and the kids I would come back to here in the US at my school and in my neighborhood. We are the ones who don’t know appreciation. We are the ones who are missing out on soaking up the Lords love for us. The people of Swaziland are kind, generous, loving and hungry for the Lord. The kids are happy even in hunger they face. They are appreciative of the meal and unending love they get at the care points.
If ever there is a need in the world for us Christians to go out…to spread love and hope and light, its right now…not just in Swazi but all over the world. IF not us then who?
I will be going out, I know there is a stirring in my heart and soul, and when the time is right and the Lord is ready, I will go! Maybe not for a year, maybe not for a month, but whatever the Lord has for me, I will go.
Sissy – It has been a privilege to watch how you have let the Lord speak into you during Taylor’s race. I can’t wait to see where He is going to lead you.
Betty, thank you for your post. All good and important things to consider and pray about. However… as is mentioned, the Lord does give us wisdom. And as far as I know, going into this World Race with AIM, neither my daughter nor her mother and I understood that, while “safety” was not guaranteed, there was no mention that AIM would seriously consider sending the Team into known Isis territory against explicit US government warnings. Not to mention that over 40 of the 56 members of the team are young American women. Nate Saint, Jim Elliot knew ahead of time what they were getting into (and they did not bring their wives). I would argue the same for most all of the other examples provided. Sending 40 + young American women into known Isis terrorist territory against the warnings of our government was not the “call” my daughter responded to. And I would venture to say that if that was on the schedule of places and events, that the Team would look a LOT different – it probably would not exist. And if it did I don’t think it is a stretch to say that it would not consist of over 80% women. My wife and have been so pleased with AIM, their work and the spiritual growth of my daughter and her team, but I must admit I am bothered that it took over a week for the “Risk Assessment” team to come to what should have been an obvious decision. And I have concerns about their travel to the Burkina Faso airport.
Bill – I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and I am going to reply to you via email on some of the issues you raised. As you have probably learned, we are an organization that values feedback and I would like to hear more about a couple of things you said. While we are able to act quickly in crisis situations, in cases such as this where there is some time to make the decision, we try to follow a good process of communicating well – both between departments internally and then to the people directly involved. We have also learned that it is best to be able to communicate the decision and the new plan at the same time. Evaluating options and putting the new plan in place often takes a few days. I understand that the four days it took felt like a long process to many parents, and I would welcome your thoughts on how we could have communicated the process more clearly.
Betty… thanks for being willing to raise the tough questions and help us think through them from a perspective based on scripture and faith (instead of fear and anxiety). As parents, we have learned we can’t protect our adult kids from every danger. In fact, we have learned the dangers of an over-protected lifestyle. As people have asked about our son’s situation (on the squad you reference at the end of this blog) we tell them he is safer now than he has been in recent years…because he is in the center of God’s will. It’s scary enough to keep us in constant prayer, but that just means our faith is growing as well.
We have trusted you and AIM through this entire process…not to “protect” our son, but to hear God’s voice in this decision. We know the heart of the ministry, and we trust you to not make these decisions based on our fear–or our kids’ fear–but solely on what the Spirit is telling you.
Thank you for all you do, and for addressing an important topic so well.
Betty, I really appreciate the insight you show in your post. As a parent of a current racer, I can say that while I have concerns for the wellbeing of my child I have always had a peace about what she has been called to do. We pray that our children growup and serve the Lord, but when they are called to “dangerous” places we want to protect them, but the events of today in Virginia show that no place is truly safe. Better to be in the middle of Gods will. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
My daughter was actually disappointed in the decision to not go into Burkina Faso but realizes that the Lord has another plan and has accepted it. Reminds me of Paul and the Macedonian Call where they were prevented from preaching in Asia to go to Macedonia. We continue to pray for the leadership at AIM & WR, the newly raised up squad leaders (that the enemy is sure to test) and all the Racers on Q Squad. We are confident that AIM has and will continue to be sensitive to the guiding of the Holy Spirit as they send these young people out to build the kingdom, but ultimately Our trust is in Almighty God to watch over them. Thanks Again!