are we too afraid?

whenever someone shares their stories about going overseas my ears always seem to perk up even if i am not actually in the conversation. it is intriguing to listen to others' perspective. last week this happened and it began to stir in me many emotions.

a family friend was sharing about her sister's trip she had taken to Haiti. the tone in her voice spoke of fear for her sister life. she expressed how she just wanted her to get back to the US where it's safe. that the places her sister went in Haiti was dangerous, dark, and oppressive. the sister described witchcraft traditions and practices she saw throughout some of the communities. she even shared stories about children being raped by being forced into the horrific child trafficking cycle.

as our family friend continued, i simply was listening from afar as i was working on a puzzle. i wasn't surprised at all to hear those stories. actually i was thankful she was sharing it with some of my family. the reaction from them was sad, speechless, and in disbelief. i was agreeing with our family friend in all she said because of the actually truth with all that is still happening in so many countries. BUT in that same moment i thought to myself..."if we are too fearful and don't want anyone to go to a dangerous place, then who will go? those people in that country need to know about Jesus too. they need to be loved on. they need to have someone investing into them and speaking truth. if we are too afraid about our lives or the lives of our family members, then who will go?" we are so sucked into being 'safe' and not putting our lives in jeopardy for the sake of someone else. so we remain where we are. with people dying everyday in a neighboring country. suffering because no one will care for them. no one will invest their time (which i believe is the most valuable thing we have) in others.

we choose safety and comfort over impacting and changing a life. really saving a life. giving hope. giving life. giving for the sake of the least. isn't that what God gave His son for? for us. for them. so why not follow that example? what is holding us back?

my prayer is that the veil will be lifted so that our eyes may see the real needs of people. that we would step out believing that God is worth it. no matter what situation we are in. that He is worth it. if we are persecuted. if we are stripped of everything. if we lose all that we have...

WE STILL HAVE JESUS.

HE IS ALL WE NEED.

HE WANTS ALL OUR AFFECTION AND DEVOTION.

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss

for the sake of Christ. What is more,

I consider everything a loss

compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish,

that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,

not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

but that which is through faith in Christ

- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Phil 3:7-10