Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Peace of Fear: Deliverance from Safety

-Aleksandra & personal accountability (no additional consequence required).

For what shall it profit a man,
if he shall gain the whole world, 
and lose his own soul?
~Mark 8:36 (Matthew 16:26, Luke 9:25) KJV

The wise man in the storm prays to God, 
not for safety from danger, 
but deliverance from fear.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jesus didn't hesitate. 
He reached down and grabbed his hand. 
Then he said, 
"Faint-heart, what got into you?"
~Matthew 14:31 The Message

How is it that we ignore the truth that none of us escape alive? How is it that we sell out our purpose to gain security and comfort? Don't we realize that we trade away a promise for a lie?

Show me the story of a person who accomplished incredible things, and I will show you a person who did not operate with a priority on safety. Besides... chances are that you will die either at home, or close to home. And yet... we do not fear being at home.

We were discussing the idea of praying for safety around the dinner table tonight. I think this concept is a distraction. Historically, followers of Christ do not get safety. Why do we feel compelled to ask for what the greatest men and women of our faith, and even the very Son of God were not given? We are not promised safety... we are promised salvation and a full life.

I have written in the past for our friends and loved ones to not pray that we will be safe... and I am compelled to say this again! It is not our goal to be safe. It is our desire to follow the will of God, to share in the heart of God, to live out the love of God. It is our passion to find that place where faith and belief are reconciled. I love the question of Jesus to Peter, "you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

We walk towards the God of the universe and yet... we fear for our safety? Now, I know that it is human nature to fear, and yet... we are created in the image of God. We are told that in our weakness, it is His strength that becomes our power (2 Corinthians 12:10).

My pastor made an incredible statement,

 "Fear makes us falter. Faith makes us Fearless."

Kellie and I have been wrestling with a final decision as we transition to become missionaries. Isn't it funny how everything comes down to money? We needed to decide if we are going to be fully funded by donors (faith-based) or if we would attempt to secure employment that would supplement our funding. When examined our reason for going to Guatemala, the answer suddenly was very clear.

We will be 100% faith-based. 

Any form of employment that we would pursue would take us away from the vision that God has placed on our hearts. We have no intention of making this change half-heartedly. Kellie is looking to volunteer for a private, English-speaking school called CAG. This will enable our children to go there tuition free, and CAG also will provide care for Sterling during the work day. This will allow Kellie to provide a need while using her professional abilities. This will also free me up to assist Catalyst Resources International, our mission, throughout the day. 

Our goal is this: we will open a second home like Mimi's House that will be our own. Our focus will be to work within the Guatemalan court system to facilitate the adoptions of orphans to loving families. Even in the months we have been preparing... doors are opening. While we pursue this vision, we will be learning culture and language, raising our children, and working with C.R.I. & CAG. We do not do any of this to be safe... we go because the love of God that we have experienced compels us to do so.

We will need your prayers and we will need your financial support. Prayerfully and thoughtfully consider now if this something you would like to be a part of... and how much do you want to give?  My promise is that we will produce tangible results. I will share with you often the stories... the pictures... and the videos of the faces, names, and hope of the people that are forever changed.

I can tell you so many stories already. It has forever changed me.

If you noticed the note at the top of this little doodle, here is why it is there. I believe the spirit and attitude of the note from my daughter is exactly how I need to react to God. I know I am not perfect. Sometimes I fear. Sometimes I doubt. Sometimes I listen to all the reasons that come with "can't." 

And then...

again, I remember that this is about my own accountability, and my own willingness to look consequence in the eye. I realize that the consequence of embracing fear... is taking my eyes off of the Man who extends His hands over the surface of the water. I hear His voice say, "what go into you?", and I reach back up as He keeps my feet walking.

The relationship between me and my daughter is based on total trust. She is my adopted daughter who I travelled across the world to bring home and feel her hug. There is nothing better in my life than her smile. 

And I know that is how God sees me. And you. And people everywhere.

Whatever course you decide upon, 
there is always someone to tell you 
that you are wrong. 
There are always difficulties arising 
which tempt you to believe 
that your critics are right. 
To map out a course of action 
and follow it to an end 
requires courage.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson



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1 comment:

  1. Funny. During our prayer study Sunday evening, we were talking about fear and faith and what fears we may have that keep us from praying for and pursuing the dreams God has placed in our hearts.

    Aside from our own "logical thoughts" that challenge us to figure it all out when God calls us to do something crazy, I think one of the biggest things that intimidate and influence us (Christians) is what others say to us and about us as they watch us through their natural eyes.

    I used you and Kellie as an example - people just have to be saying that what you are doing is crazy...maybe even irresponsible! It doesn't make sense in the natural and when people point that out to us, we often take their word for it over God's. What they are saying might be true in the natural, but it isn't God's truth! There is great risk in what you and Kellie are doing, and I know there will be GREAT reward!

    Like Noah, we all have to walk in obedience to what God is calling us to do, regardless of what people are saying. If we don't, the consequences could be dire! After all, in the natural, the people in the world did not believe Noah when he said that it would soon rain - it had never rained before. It didn't make sense!

    Noah held on to the truth God spoke to him for days and days and days as he built that ark and gathered all the animals, (while the rest of the world mocked him!) God did exactly as He said He would. And He always does!

    I have no doubt that God is going to provide for your family financially and I am thankful that you are continuing to set the example of living in faith for all of us. You and Kellie are an inspiration and I am convicted about how I've let my own fears hold me back from pursuing the dreams God has placed in my heart, because so far, He has allowed me to take baby steps and hasn't required such a big leap of faith like He has required of you!

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