Taking Chances
I believe that we all go through a Daniel experience. This is a time when you have a chance to stand up for what you believe in in the midst of turmoil and trouble, knowing that if you keep on this path, you might get burned. When that moment comes, the Lord's presence is so intense, not saving you from the process, but walking you through it, never leaving you alone.
Mine came in a difficult time in Asia. I was part of a team of about six guys, from many different nationalities. Our goal: get the Gospel out to the most remote parts of the country. We went out for 14 to 20 days at a time, came back, rest and then would go out again. This was grueling and tiring work, but so rewarding. Conflict in our team was inevitable. It started with small differences, character flaws, and just plain immaturity.
This grew and grew into major confrontations. The team got side-tracked by worldly issues and lost track of why we were there. Ministry became a sideshow, and team devotions became theological debates around Calvinism, Armenism, and whether or not missions is needed since people are pre-destined to follow Christ. My own zealous belief in reaching the unreached, but yet with very little wisdom and maturity, just added fuel to an already burning furnace. I was mocked, ridiculed, manhandled and was on the brink of quitting. During this time I clung to the Lord, woke up very early in the morning to spend time with the Lord, before all hell broke out again at breakfast.
During one instance, I was challenging one of my teammates on why he was there. Why go through all the pressure cooking spiritual warfare? I was hoping for a response like: to make disciples, or share in the sufferings of Christ while taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth…but his response was: So God can change me. I was upset! “You can do that in America!” This was the common theme at the time. It’s all about me.
Yes, this was on the mission field!
I remember the Lord’s presence with me so strong during this time, in the furnace, in the fire, He was with me. Not rescuing me, but helping me walk through it. To say that I lost faith in my fellow teammates was an understatement. On occasion, we received three new teammates. Can I take a chance on relationships? Risk opening up myself, being vulnerable, only to be trampled on? Or do I just do it alone, no pain there, no risk of rejection, no mocking, or being pushed around…no persecution from my own team. I took a chance.
The Lord richly rewarded me for my faith with two great and close friends. Our team was transformed! Through the grace of God, we saw a deep pull into the presence of God, unity. We saw a revival hit our team, where we spent hours on the floor, weeping and crying out to the Lord, we saw miracles, and saw many come to faith in Jesus Christ. One of these men was even the best man at my wedding! I still remember the late nights laughing in our beds as the presence of the Holy Spirit fell on us, and released in our souls the joy of the Lord!
I would never have experienced this if I did not open up my heart, and trust again. It was not easy, especially since there was a lot of pain involved. I had to make a choice: shrivel up into myself, or take another chance knowing that it might bring more pain and brokenness. I took a chance on relationships after being burned, and the reward was more than I could ever have imagined.
How has your faith been shaped by a Daniel experience?
How have you seen taking chances bear fruit in your life or the lives of those around you?
