The Art of Mission...

Dear family,

I am trying to encourage Daniel to jump, but it is a challenge. He has this soft slide/ladder combo that cushions his fall, so we started moving the two pieces further apart from each other. That could, in theory, cause him to jump from one piece to the next, and it gives me the security knowing if he misses the jump or lands on his back, its a soft landing, and he wont get hurt, too badly. Anyway, i encourage, Kendra says push, Daniel to take the leap. Go ahead Daniel, i say, it wont hurt, you can do it. He measures up the distance. He looks up at me. He counts, "1, 2, 3," bends his knees and then steps down. All that build up, i thought for sure he was going to jump out of the room, and nothing. He steps down, safely, securely.

What do i do? I get him back on the top of the steps and invite him to "jump" again. I know he will be safe, but he doesn't. He has to learn to trust me, more, before he will actually jump. He stands up at the top of the steps, counts again, bends his knees, grunts, gets determined, i am sure he will jump. But no. He steps down again and runs back to the steps, yelling, "Again."

His fear of the unknown keeps him from letting go and jumping the distance. Will he make it? Yes he will. I have seen him do it before, with help. Will he get hurt? No. I'm there to protect him, make sure he doesn't hit a wall or bang his head on the floor or really miss the target. I will catch him. I will protect him, in the face of real danger. But for Daniel, who doesn't fully trust that i will catch and protect him, though he is getting there, the fear of the unknown is stronger than his faith and trust in me and himself. And it keeps him from being free.

Isn't that what we all do, in truth, when God/Jesus and the church call us to step out and live in mission? Aren't we afraid of the unknown? What if we can't afford it? What if people don't listen? What if we get really crazy and lose our lives? What if our families abandon us? What if, what if, what if? It seems, as i reflect on Daniel's journey of trying to build up the courage to jump is akin to our own attempts to build up the courage to change the church's narrative and paradigm.

We are comfortable with the way things are, because it is known, it is normal. We have experience with focusing on budget and meeting on Sundays as examples of being church, but Jesus never called us to "meet" and worry about money. No. Instead Jesus says in Matthew 10, "Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey; or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep."

Jesus tells the 12 that they should just go and get to work and trust that God would provide for them. If people, per custom and expectation for those in first century Palestine, didn't welcome them and take care of them, well the 12 were to wipe off their feet and pretty much offer a condemnation similiar to Sodom and Gomorrah, and we all remember what happened to them for their lack of hospitality, right? Sulfur anyone?

Jesus tells them that they will face persecution. Men will betray them. Their families will turn against them. And when, not if, they deal with pain and oppression, they are not to fear. Why? Because the Holy Spirit, which Jesus is freeing to guide them and empower them, will give them the strength and courage to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. They, the new 12, must trust. Trust that Jesus will keep His word. And as we read in Luke, the 12 return to Jesus and tell Him all that they were able to do. They, like Jesus, changed lives. They were amazed at the power that God had entrusted to them. My sense is that Jesus, like a proud parent when their child feels good after an accomplishment, my sense is that Jesus sat back and enjoyed the report of His disciples. They got it. They had faith, not just in Him but in themselves too.

Oh yeah, which brings me back to Daniel. He just wouldn't jump, not really. So i stood on the steps and showed him. He still hesitated. Then i got desperate. As he stood there, ready to jump, i had an idea. I was going to "assist" him in the jump. As he lifted, slightly, off the ground, i gave him a little more lift and gentle push so he would clear what must have been a chasm to him, and he landed softly, on his backside, on the mat. At first he was stunned then a smile and a cheer and a laugh came out of him. Now he wont quit jumping. He knows he can do it. He knows it is safe. And above all, no matter what he faces, I am there to assist him. Just like God is for us. Amen.

Shalom,

jerry