Roland and Becca were missionaries in Lebanon. Roland was a dedicated evangelist. He made it his practice to open his Arabic Bible and speak of Jesus Christ to Muslims every day. Then the region descended into chaos; months of lawlessness disturbed their city, when Muslim factions began blowing up cars.

During those days, when Roland would leave the house in the morning, Becca would walk with him to his car. She would say, “I love you.” While she sat in the passenger seat, Roland would put the key in the ignition and turn on the car.

If nothing happened, that was the all clear.

Then, Becca would open the car door and return to their home, while Roland drove to his appointment. What courage it took for this couple to continue in the obedience of the Great Commission.

Because churches are sending their sons and daughters as missionaries, we need to think deeply about Jesus Christ’s understanding of God’s love. If we are going to send our sons and daughters to the distant places and, in some cases, to the very gates of hell, we must have a theology of faith, hope, and love to sustain us when some of them die. We learn this theology from Jesus himself, who encouraged us to trust in our Father’s love and not be surprised at a martyr’s death.

Thinking deeply about God’s love enables missionaries to do God’s will in risky places.

Do we believe what the Bible has to say about the cost of discipleship? “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil. 1:29, NIV). Shall the church and her leaders send our sons and daughters only to the lands made fairly safe because yesterday’s missionaries opened the work there?

• Praise God who not only calls, but who also equips to go and send in order to complete the Great Commission among all nations.
• Pray for an increase in fearless wisdom among church leaders as they seek to send our own people into the hardest places on earth.
• Ask God to give senders and goers hearts that will persevere in faith and joy—even in the face of suffering.

This excerpt comes from Frontiers president Bob Blincoe’s chapter in a book by pastors John Piper and David Mathis, called Think It Not Strange: Navigating Trials in the New America—available as a free download from DesiringGod.org.

Main photo by Mark Frangie