Risk and Preparation

Tonight I read one of my required books for SIM. I found myself far more intrigued and encouraged by its contents than I expected and feel silly for having procrastinated it. I want to share a particular section with you.

"Missionaries enter into risk because they are sent into it by God. He is the ultimate sender and administrator of mission. C.S. Lewis described the Christian life as being in a violent storm. Those who lie down may not even understand the nature of the storm. Those who stand up are battered by the tempest." Ian Hay

I feel that much of my life I have been one of those for whom the majority of the storm has passed overhead. I've been safe, comfortable and even have remained naive to an extent about the tremendous need, depravity, sickness, abuse, treachery and evil in the world. However, soon I know that the storm will hit me full force. When I get off the sidelines and into the battle, when I am bringing the Truth of Jesus daily into the lives of those who do not know him, the enemy will raise his head and hit me with some blasts.


During this time of relative calm of working as a nurse in a faith based hospital, I need to be growing in my faith more. I need to be building a scriptural foundation in my heart that I will be able to draw from when the winds and waves assail me. I need to recognize every moment of the day that hope and strength, wisdom and ability are only mine because of Christ in me. My comfortable, "sunny day faith" will not be enough to sustain me on the field.


I recently had a very difficult day at the hospital which I did not manage well. I spent the last hour and a half of the shift in an emotional meltdown and ended the shift in tears, unable to speak about the patient without fresh ones running down my cheeks. In Africa I may face more difficult situations than that on a daily basis. I may even be the one to whom everyone looks for guidance and hope. I do not have it. Christ in me is my only hope.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30