God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food.........
At least that was what I was taught as a child. Now I am exploring a different side of God. God is not safe?
My family and I attended Missions Training International in June and July as we prepare to head overseas on our first long term missions assignment. We sat on the edge of our seat as our instructor, a former police officer from California, read a letter from a former MTI student. The letter detailed the horrifying chain of events that occurred after they were kidnapped by a rebel group that demanded a ransom for their release. The gravity of our decision to follow God to Nepal began to sink in as I thought about how this family was sitting in the same chair that I was sitting in just a few years ago.
Our families have reacted to our decision with mixed emotion. Some are simply angry at us for placing their grandchildren in such an environment. Some are supportive, but they comfort themselves by saying, "Well I guess if God has really called you to serve in Nepal, then He will not allow anything bad to happen." Is this true? Does God protect his followers who are in His Will? If this is true then all of His disciples must have fallen out of His Will. If this is true then the thousands of Christians who have been martyred throughout the centuries must have mistakenly stepped out of God's will.
The truth is that, "God is not safe, but He is faithful." Following God will never be safe and to judge the sincerity of anyones call by the safety of their journey is simply not scriptural. Was Jesus Christ out of the Father's Will because He was crucified? Of course not. Historically, Christians have always been persecuted for their faith. The comfort in this is that God will never leave us. He will walk with us through the "Valley of the shadow of death." Is this not what we are all searching for anyways? To walk daily with the Father. He calls us on a journey. The road is not safe. It is not always fun. We sometimes get sick. We miss our friends and family, but we are never alone. I think we are so fortunate. God has shared his burden for the people of Nepal with us and we will never be the same. What a wonderful priveledge.
Posted by Jon at August 14, 2003 08:50 AMPsalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
May we as a church family have the courage and faith you have shown as we live as a community here in Blount Co..
Posted by: a friend at August 21, 2003 09:02 PMYou continue to amaze and inspire me as you follow God's calling!! We pledge to be continually in prayer for you, please let us know any specific needs you have. In the Fierce love of the Father,
Posted by: Donna Perkins at August 22, 2003 08:54 AMI agree! Not about 'safe' but about obedience. Thanks for obeying!! I was reminded when I read this article of a time when we were in worship and I was captured by Shawna worshipping to the song "You Said", sensing deeply in my spirit that the Lord was moving in her heart regarding Nepal. I know that this has been a journey of listening to God's will for this mission and I am so thankful that you guys have said YES! We support you, we love you and will be in deep regular prayer for you! Love, Kathy D.
Posted by: Kathy Davis at August 22, 2003 09:13 AM"'Then he isn't safe?' said Lucy. 'Safe?' said Mr Beaver; 'don't you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.'" The Lion , the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S. Lewis
Posted by: Chase at August 23, 2003 12:43 PM