No Fear

No Fear

I saw a large ridge of rock that jutted out into a point and divided two bodies of water. Two rivers flowed, meeting at the bottom of the ridge. One flowing river was white water, and I understood it represented abundance and a healthy relationship with Christ. Then, on the other side of the ridge, there was darkness. The natural, good river had dried up, and black sludge, which seemed to consume light, replaced it. It radiated fear and retaliation, violence and anger. Then I looked back at the beautiful divide, the place where the white river touched the black sludge.

He explained. “This location, at the thin pointed edge, represents where Christ followers meet the darkness of the unsaved. In this location, the church desperately needs resources. These missionaries touch the darkness. The worldwide church needs to send resources to these desolate areas because of physical poverty, but also spiritual poverty. In these locations, the enemy reigns and bullies, hurting people into desperate and hopeless lives.”

“What should I be praying?”

“Pray that individuals and churches pray to receive wisdom on where to allocate resources, people, money and necessary items. Let them seek my overabundance of wisdom instead of seeking their own.”

Then, God returned me to the word picture at the place where the thin edge of the divide was, and I saw a giant banquet table. It was very long. It contained multiple lit menorahs the entire expanse of the table. I could not see the end of the banquet table.

He brought back into my remembrance the scripture

Psalm 23:4-6 (ESV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever

“This place where the light stands against the darkness is a sacred place, and My people need to lay down their lives to meet people in these locations. I will meet them there, and their reward will be great. “

***

I’ve been contemplating this for days and have been asking what He’s been thinking and feeling about it. He reminded me of a podcast or reel I had seen where the author had stated that our churches should not look like country clubs. We shouldn’t be going to beautiful buildings filled with beautiful people who all look, act and have the same culture and ethnic backgrounds as us. Our churches should be diverse, with varying levels of spiritual maturity and needs.

Church isn’t a country club but a training ground.

We should send our resources to the front lines, not use them to line our own pockets and pet-projects to provide feel-good events.

This convicts me too. I think, how can my husband and I increase our giving and strategically meet those lost in darkness? We need not fear going to places of darkness to bring our light into it and reclaim that territory. He desires resources to be sent to those places. My prayer is that the Christians who are called to fund those missionaries both to other countries and urban missionaries in the United States. They will say yes and provide the resources necessary.

No Fear

When we look at Psalm 23 again, we see that not only does He know we will walk in these desolate, dark places but that He will provide us overabundance there. He will taunt our enemies with the resources He pours out on us. Our victory will be at the location the enemy tries to intimidate and conquer God’s people.

Prayer for you and me: Lord, help us see the lost people that you have called us to help. Grant us wisdom to meet people right where they are and provide them with their needs in a God-honoring way. How do we meet the people on the edge? Help us see and embolden us to act. In Jesus’ name. Amen.