An avalanche on Mount Everest last month killed 16 Sherpa
guides. Closer to home, a 28 year old man died in a climbing accident
on El Capitan in Yosemite Park last year. No one can deny the danger of
climbing. Only the fearless attempt it.
Likewise, the higher places of spiritual life are hazardous. The Psalmist acknowledges this when he says, “He makes my feet like those
of a deer and gives me sure footing on high places” (18:33). The high places
represent, spatially, closeness to God and greater spiritual sight (and insight).
The fear of spiritual heights is justified. If you fall—unlike
nature’s climber, you will not be destroyed—you will be more hurt than the security-seekers on the ground! (But think of the ecstasies you would miss!) Take confidence in the “God who is able to keep you from falling and bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a
single fault” (Jude 24). Be fearless! Think about the spiritual revelations waiting for you at the summit! Think about Jesus high and lifted up.
Last month the UN issued a report charging
North Korea's leaders with human rights violations against its citizens, rising to the level of crimes against humanity. Let us not forget that our brothers and sisters in Christ are among the mistreated.
Coincidentally, John Short,
a 75-year-old Australian Christian visiting North Korea with a tour group in February, was
detained for possessing Christian materials printed in
Korean. John's wife told reporters that he was aware
of the risk. “North Korea is not an open country and it doesn't welcome Christians—we
realize that. But that doesn't mean we stand by and do nothing.”
John Short will, no doubt, be released, but not North Korean believers. “Remember
those in prison, as if you were there yourself, and those being
mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies” (Heb. 13:3). The next time someone snubs your faith in Christ, think of those persecuted in North Korea. And pray for them.
In my last blog post, I referred to the story of the disciples leaving the safety of the shore, crossing the lake (at Jesus’ behest) and encountering a life-threatening storm. The point of my writ was that leaving one’s safety zone is, well, risky. Little did I know I would be, in fact, faced with a life-threatening storm on our way to Belize.
Tropical Storm Alex took an unexpected turn on Saturday—the day of our flight. Just minutes from the Belize Airport, the pilot came on the overhead speakers and announced that we could not land due to the heavy rain. He said an earlier American Airline plane that day had been diverted to Cancun. Now as much as I might like Cancun, I knew that was not our destination (destiny). The Lord told the disciples they were crossing the lake on way to Galilee (he told us Belize!). The storm was a test. Would they (we) believe Him if He said they (we) were going to reach the other side: their destination?
Well, I did. Did I have a moment of doubt (as in, why did we get on this plane)? Yes, and then I recalled my own words: you cannot know His protection, presence, and power if you don’t encounter storms. When the Lord says you are going to the other side. Don’t let a little (or big) storm distract you. He is with you. He will get you to the other side.
Altha and I are flying to Belize tomorrow. This return trip is what-I-call a ‘fact-finding’ mission—meeting with local pastors and missionaries—gathering information, learning how God is ‘at work’ in Belize, and where we ‘fit.’ By the end of the year we plan, God willing, to go back to teach the “Dying to Live Abundant Life” class at one or more locations. Though we’ve laid out our agenda for this week, we’ve left open times for events and meetings that are yet unknown to us! The unknown and unfamiliar always hold an element of risk. But risk is the soil where seeds of faith sprout and grow.
When Jesus told His disciples to cross the lake of Galilee, they did not want to go. Maybe they thought it was too risky. But after some urging (Matt.14:22), they obeyed. Not long after, encountering a life-threatening storm, they must have thought “if only we had not crossed this lake, we would not have faced this storm.” But if they had not obeyed, they would not have seen the power of the Lord calming the sea. They wouldn’t have known Jesus in that way. With obedience comes the joy of knowing and experiencing God. While I don't mean to imply we are going to encounter anything life-threatening, anytime one surrenders to the unknown, uncontrollable events of life (pushing out from safe harbor) he incurs a certain amount of risk (if only the risk of uncertainty). But it is there we learn God’s Presence, Protection, and Power. And there is no safer place on earth.
