Allow me to be a little "un-Wycliffe" for a moment.
This week dear friends that we met at Training Camp (a two-week training session you first attend to become a Wycliffe member) have come to spend some time with us and share at Wycliffe's EnterMission service. Together with Justin and Beth--and mostly from a distance through Skype--we have walked through the excitement of joining Wycliffe, having kids, finding out assignments, and raising support (and all the joys and struggles that go along with that). While we have only had a total of approximately 26 days together in the same room, they have become some of the closest friends we have. They have sharpened us and have come alongside us.
They have caused me to think a lot about the future...as well as the now, but mostly what the now means for the future. You see, they are on the brink of reaching their 100% support quota to leave for their first assignment in Bulgaria. They are about to close a two-year chapter of their lives of raising support, traveling like crazy (along with their baby boy), and speaking in churches and to individuals about what God has put on the hearts to do. In fact, during the days they've been in our home, we have witnessed them reaching the point in their financial standing where they are able to purchase tickets to leave before Thanksgiving(!!!). Forsaking the life they know is now staring them in the face. It's no longer an idea or a goal they are pushing towards. It's time to go. Everything they've been telling people will now become a reality. They are now forced to think about whether or not they will have their family come to the airport to say goodbye (because sometimes there's just too much emotion to be able to go through all that in an airport), what things are worth taking and what things they need to leave behind, what pictures will they take with them, what their new house look like, how will they communicate with the general population in the new country, and whether or not their new doctor understand everything they are trying to say when they need to take their son to the doctor, etc. etc. The list goes on.
While I realize it's not very "Christian" or Wycliffe to say this, it's just about enough to invoke a fight or flight response. These are big issues and in complete honesty, the gravity of everything can make you all but go numb. At the moment I'm almost living vicariously through them as I anticipate our doing this in the future. What a golden opportunity for the enemy to get a foothold and make all of us feel the need to do a 180, wondering "what are we doing?"
But then what would happen?
This whole week has pushed me deep in thought about how it is that missionaries do this. There is no amount of strong will or resolve that will take you through AND sustain you as you "forsake father and mother to do the will of the Father." I liken it to raising kids. There is no amount of good intention, wisdom, cajoling, or parenting methods that will ensure your kids wanting to follow the Lord or even much less OBEY you.
And so, I've made my conclusion. It is the grace of the Father. It's HIS loving grace that allows us to do what He's called us to do, no matter what exactly it is that He has asked you or I to do. We can't muster up enough courage, we can't convince ourselves it's not as big a deal as it is. We can only rest in Him and trust that His grace will allow us walk through with joy all the in and outs of following Him.
Pray for Justin and Beth in these upcoming days. Pray for them even now! Pray that His grace would cover over them in such a way that it would drive out fear and infuse even more of first a love for the Father and following His will. Second, pray for an ever-growing love for the people they are going to live amongst. That with each trial and with each joy they face, they can remember that Christ walked through all that and more for them (and for all of us). He is good and He is gracious. He will continue to carry out His good will through His people. To Him be the glory!
"In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength". -Isaiah 30:15
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