Is It Worth The Risk?
Some people are risk-averse, while others run to risk.
As the season of Covid-19 was beginning my wife and I found ourselves leaving a field of service where we had lived over 30 years. We were detained from departing by government authorities and prohibited from leaving. We were subsequently interrogated over a period of 60 days.
Societal circumstances had changed, persecution increasing, and the potential risks of our presence were outweighing the advantages of our onsite involvement. It was time for us to move to a different place in the battle for eternity.
Throughout the detainment, my wife and I had a lot of time to consider the question of whether the risks of crossing barriers with the gospel were worth it. We spent most days in prayer, much like Daniel of scripture at his window. We were in a tall hotel, 20 stories up, facing a bay that separated us from freedom. From that vantage point, we could see in the distance a village where we had begun our journey overseas some 30 years earlier. We prayed and remembered and called out to the Lord for wisdom and refuge.
The name of God most dear to us at the time was “Lord of Hosts” as we had camped in Psalm 46 as we prayed. We were concerned about the spreading virus and having prior health conditions that might increase the possibility of contracting the virus in an environment with lower quality of care. We were concerned about the threat that the accusations against us would pose for our friends and their potential persecution. So, this name, LORD of Hosts, became a personal name of confidence and hope.
(Psa 46:7,10) “The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Recognizing and enjoying our relationship to the LORD of hosts is the primary counterbalance to risk. He’s called us to join Him in establishing His kingdom among all people! He is with us in all that we face, this balances the risk! The larger perspective is that I will spend eternity with Him, so what is the real risk? Missing out on the experience of the joy of relationship with Jesus.
Is it worth the risk for those we encountered and shared hope in this relationship? The hope of eternity prevails over any risk. Was it worth the risk to those with whom we partnered in the struggle for hearts? This is not to say that we run to risk just for the sake of risk, but that we run for the hearts of those who are dear to the LORD of hosts.
Waiting without knowing the future, facing hardships, potential failure, shame from those who don’t get the purpose; it’s all worth it considering the fact that Jesus is with us and the fact that we are His. Jesus faced this when he came to ransom our souls, why should we expect anything different? The apostle Paul wrote, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” (2 Cor 4:17)
The LORD was present with us and as I prayed in times of waiting, I saw pictures in my mind’s eye, many faces of people and places that I had seen the Lord move and change lives over 30 years, and in those moments sensing His presence through the struggle is undeniably worth all of the risk.
Currently, we all persevere in continuous waves of the pandemic. Travel is increasingly limited --- our home country is a breeding ground of distrust --- refugees and displaced peoples are coming to our doorstep. Is it worth it to join the LORD of hosts in establishing His kingdom? Of course, it is, but it will cost something.
Come journey through risk and find the joy of serving Him. Join GlobalGrace on a short-term culture immersion and serve the unreached that God is bringing to our cities. Join GlobalGrace for a deep dive into pursuing the remaining unreached peoples until all have heard of His love.
GlobalGrace worker