Indecision, One-Way Missionaries, Light & The Walk

The final chapter of Wild Goose Chase deals with the cage of fear . . .

"Most of us are far too tentative when it comes to the will of God. We let our fears dictate our decisions. We are so afraid of making the wrong decision that we make no decision. And what we fail to realize is that indecision is a decision . . . that keeps us in the cage. . . . [Remember] nothing ventured, nothing gained." (pg. 144)

I greatly enjoyed the examples Mark gave of people who had gone into dangerous situations in order to do the will of God. Mark believes most of us think our purpose in life is to arrive safely at death, however he challenges us to think differently. He told about A.W. Milne and other "one-way missionaries" who went to countries knowing they likely would never return home. Milne went to a tribe of headhunters in New Hebrides where all former missionaries had been killed. However he felt called to go and obeyed. "He lived among the tribe for thirty-five years and never returned home. When the tribe buried him, they wrote the following epitaph on his tombstone: 'When he came there was no light. When he left there was no darkness.'" (pg. 149) What a way to live with an eternal perspective in mind!

Mark told of a friend who invaded the porn industry in order to spread Christ's light. Then speaking frankly, Mark declared: "If we are going to fulfill our ancient commission, we need to get out of the comfortable confines of our Christian ghettos and invade some hellholes with the light and love of Christ." Then he gives us this quote from C.T. Studd: "'Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.'" (pg. 150)

What do you think of this false assumption?

"We subconsciously think it should get easier the longer we follow Christ. Let me push back a little. I certainly believe that some dimensions of spiritual growth get easier with the consistent practice of spiritual disciplines. But I also believe that spiritual growth prepares us for more dangerous missions. As we grow, God gives us more difficult things to do." (pg. 150)

Many good things to consider. I know I've often desired the comfort of life rather than wishing to live dangerously. But I believe I am a-changin' on that front! Hope so anyway. Maybe I'll change my mind tomorrow...yikes! And I agree with this final statement by Mark. I think we do tend to believe that the Christian life should be easier as we grow in it. Like the hard assignments are in the early years and we should go towards some more relaxing, retirement type of place in our walk eventually. Hmmm. I wonder why I think that way.