A few weeks ago, I was sitting at the airport ready to board my flight for Baghdad when a sudden emotion rushed over me: fear. I looked around and saw people dressed very differently than me. I heard conversations in a language I did not understand. I was the only one of the several hundred passengers who carried a passport with “United States” printed on the front cover. There was a sudden rush of fear that crept over me.
But as I boarded the plane, I thought to myself, “Where does this fear come from?” It wasn’t a fear I’ve never felt before. In fact, it was the same fear I felt the first time I served meals to the homeless on the riverbank in Huntington. It was also the same fear I felt the first time I navigated west-side Charleston on my own. I had also experienced that fear the first time I crossed the street to invite my neighbor to church. Still to this day, I experience that fear at certain family reunions.
But where does that fear come from?
As I thought about it further, I realized that most of my fear came from my perceptions, influenced by what I read, and what I watched, and what I heard from others. Rarely do I experience fear as a result of actual experiences. Rather, most of my fear usually comes from false perceptions.
What dawned on me in that moment was how often I let my perception of others prevent me from being obedient to Christ’s commission. More specifically, I frequently allow my view of others to dictate whether or not I approach them with the gospel. Satan loves when I do that. When I do that, he gets a small victory, and I am left further divided from those Christ called me to serve.
What I read in Scripture, however, is that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather one of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7). In fact, he tells us not to fear more than 100 times! Even in the Great Commission, he sends us with his full authority and he promises to be with us every step of the way (Matt 28:19-20). I think it is safe to say that fear is not from God.
What I encountered in Iraq was a people much different than what I saw on the news. What I met were people who were kind and loving, and who’s hospitality far exceeded my own. Likewise, they had perceptions of me that I was also hopefully able to change. Perceptions often lead to fear. But in my experience, through actual conversations, those perceptions began to change. And as we talked, I learned more of their circumstances. And as I learned more of their circumstances, I was able to relate to them better. And as I was able to relate to them better, I was able to impart hope through the message of the gospel. However, I had to start by getting on the plane.
What perceptions do you have that are keeping you from being obedient to the Great Commission? How have you allowed fear to keep you from following God? Satan loves to use fear as a means of causing division, and in that sense, fear becomes the greatest obstacle to missions. But Christ has not called you to a life of fear. He has called you to a life of obedience.
The next time you have the opportunity, I encourage you to board that plane, or to cross that street, or to go to that family reunion. In many cases, eternal lives are at stake! Christ calls you to far more than simply a life of fear. When he calls you, there is likely something he wants to do both in you and through you.
