A Risky Call

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

There exists a unique study of missions, or missiology, within Christendom. What is missions? What activities can you classify as missions, and which can you not? Is everything we do missions? Is missions only when going to another country? Is it only when going to a land where the common language is different than your own? There may be questions coming to your mind that you have heard or wondered yourself about what exactly missions is and thus who might be considered a missionary. I recognize Artificial Intelligence is a controversial topic of conversation in the world, as well as within the church, but for the sake of a definition, Microsoft Copilot says this about missiology, “Missiology is the academic study of religious missions, particularly focusing on their methods and purposes. It encompasses the theological, historical, and social scientific aspects of missionary work. This field examines how missions are conducted, their impact, and the broader mission of the church in the world.” I do not want to dismiss the study of missions, or again missiology, nor make it appear to be invaluable in any way, but I do want to suggest to us, a broader audience, that it may be a moot point in our everyday lives as Christ followers.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” The Scriptures bear witness to the reality that suffering is synonymous with following Christ. Paul wrote the book of Philippians from jail and encourages the believers in Phillipi to not be frightened by opposition, but that suffering has been “granted” to them as they believe in Christ (Philippians 1:27-30). The early church fathers and historians argue Peter was persecuted to the point of being crucified upside down due to his allegiance to Christ. Jesus himself tells James and John, the sons of Zebedee, that they will drink the cup the He will drink and be baptized in the same manner as He will be baptized alluding to His suffering and death (Mark 10:38). And, as we see in the main passage above, Jesus Himself communicates the cost of followship when He rebukes Peter and tells His disciples that to follow Him means the denial of self and a pledging of allegiance to Him, no matter the cost, even if it meant death. See, to identify with Christ and thus engage on mission for Christ appears to be a risky commitment.

So, my question for myself is not so much about what missions is, or what it is not, but more am I willing to accept the costly call to be an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5) in this world, no matter what geographic sphere in which the Lord has me. Am I willing to choose obedience over fear, trepidation, or the unknown?

M. Night Shamalyan is a famous filmmaker, most known for psychological thriller-type movies. There is a scene in one of his movies, The Village, where the two main characters had just escaped a traumatizing situation and as they “debriefed,” Ivy Walker asks Lucius, “How is it you are brave, when all the rest of us shake in our boots?” To which Lucius responds, “I do not worry about what will happen, only what needs to be done.” It has been many years since I first saw this movie, but I recall that exchange regularly because I think Lucius captures a sentiment that I desire for my own life. That being a willingness to do the right thing, to do what needs to be done, no matter what risk it poses, or what may happen.

For readers, I do not know what that “right thing to do” is in your life as related to living on mission for Christ but my hope and prayer is that we, collectively, as Christians will accept the costly call to follow Jesus and bear His name to the ends of the earth, no matter what might happen to us. As we consider that “right thing,” I want to conclude by encouraging us with a few truths as we take risks for the sake of the advancement of the Gospel.

First, we can trust that our God is with us. I think about Joshua leading the people of Israel into the promised land. The land was filled with his enemies, those who wanted to destroy Israel, and yet as Joshua gazed upon the land and received the command to take possession of the land, the Lord assured him that just as He was with Moses, so too would He be with Joshua. Joshua could proceed without fear because His God was with him. We too can trust that our God is with us when we go on mission for Him.

Second, we can cling to the fact that we bear witness to Christ because of His power in us. Acts 1:8, often recognized as the foundational verse for missions, communicates to us that we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. The Holy Spirit comes upon us to what? To be His witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. We can trust that we can answer this call because we have been empowered to do so.

Finally, we know that this earth is not our home. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:1 that if our earthly tent/home is destroyed we can have confidence that we have a house eternal in the heavens not built by human hands but by the Lord Himself. We can trust the Lord that no matter what happens in this life, if we are in Christ, we have a greater dwelling awaiting us. If we wholeheartedly believe this to be true, then we can rest on this promise and be liberated to answer the costly call.

Yes, the call of Christ may be a risky call. We, however, have a trustworthy God who is with us, empowers us, and provides for us in ways that far exceed anything this world has to offer. May we, as Lucius says, not so much worry about what will happen but more about what needs to be done for the cause of Christ.

To God be the glory!