As The Scales Fall

God has used this week to make another layer of scales fall from my eyes. Have I figured out specifically where I am called? I have no idea. But I do know after this week that the costs are going to be much higher than I had last calculated.

Today’s chapel message from 2 Corinthians 1:3-9 about suffering and our Great Comforter, once again prepares me for the difficulties of a future overseas. Again, this is part of God removing scales from my eyes. I do not need to fear what suffering may come because the God of all comfort has already declared me clean by His righteousness. I do not need to fear what comes or run from the dark, hard places. James 1:17 says that God is the Father of lights. Because of His comfort and His righteousness that I am clothed with, I can turn and go into the dark, difficult places because I bear His light and am guided by the Great Comforter and Father of Lights.

How far am I willing to go? Will I limit myself to go somewhere where I can love and serve fashionable, beautiful people? Or will I go where people are dirty and reek from lack of basic hygiene? Where disease runs rampant? Where it is hot, humid, and wet? Am I willing to be a woman in a place where women are inferior, cannot be touched, and cannot look men in the face? Am I willing to go to a place that my life would be in danger of Islamic threat?

The whole time I’m thinking of questions and scenarios about myself and my personality. How might I fit in that context? Then the Lord reminded me, my life is not the point! As John Piper says, “Missions is not the ultimate goal. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” This is about God and His glory. People were created for that glory. Now in their deep lostness, they are image bearers far from being the worshipper that God created them to be. Philippians 2:10 tells us that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. That may be exciting news within the church, but that is tragic news for millions! Those who refuse Christ or never hear the name of Jesus will bow down to the King of kings but it will be in their submission and His judgment.

227,000 people die every week in Bangladesh without hearing about our Savior Jesus. That’s as if a spumoni is swiping through that nation every single week. We think we’ve experienced hopeless. THAT is hopeless! Hopelessness that needs to meet face to face with our Savior Jesus. During the midst of his call, one missionary saw a poster of several young boys from around the world. The words that he said still ring in my head- Can I get there before these boys die?

God is preparing me now. This preparation for the foreign mission field is no different than that of a believer who will never be capable of leaving the US. It is the utter pursuit of Christ. The more you know someone, the more you act like them, respond like them, love like them. You pick up on their traits. This is my pursuit now. My preparation is does not need to be trying to equip myself with all the necessary skills. The diligent pursuit of becoming like Christ. Conforming to the image of the One with whom I must abide.