Scared or Prepared?

I get a daily email from BookBub (www.bookbub.com, if you’re interested), which shows me the daily deals for my Kindle or other reading app: cheap to free bargains on books in the categories I’m interested in.  I have noticed that lately, there is a marked increase in books dealing with the end of the world, or being prepared for the end of the world. I wonder if the overwhelming sales of zombie books and movies speak to our collective unconscious fear of the inevitability of runaway viruses and/or the breakdown of our “safe world”.  Here in PNG, we get Indonesian satellite TV, and one of their public service announcement commercials gives a brief overview of what every family should have on hand in case of emergencies or disasters. It is shown frequently, and has done since we arrived a year ago. All we have to do is read the news headlines to know that the way of life as we knew it in the 20^th century may never return.

So, how do we respond to these seemingly imminent threats to our health, safety, and prosperity? Do we bury our heads in the sand, and give in to the magical thinking that somehow things will return to status quo? Or do we stockpile food and guns in the hopes that we can protect our immediate family from those pesky neighbors who didn’t prepare? (Seriously, as Christians, we’re going to shoot people if they’re hungry? That’s what Jesus would do? That year’s supply of food will last a month or less if we do as we should and give to those in need…) I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t be wise and put back a little for disasters or emergencies, or go to the Doctor when we're sick, but this whole end-of-the-world “prepper” scenario is a little unrealistic. The fact is, at some point we have to decide whether or not we are going to trust God to provide and take care of us, even in the direst of circumstances.

The best kind of preparation we can do is of the heart.

Do I know my Word so well that in times of trouble it comforts me, guides me, and gives me direction? Do I endeavor to operate in faith on a daily basis so that when I have to, I already have a foundation to build from? Do I go to the doctor before I pray, as a matter of course, or am I praying for healing –and believing for it- as I go? Am I spending time with Him and learning to hear that still small Voice saying, “this is the way, walk ye in it?” Obviously, this is a work in progress for all of us, but better to start now than falling away because we don’t know how to exercise our faith when we really need it. Historically, whenever a people have become so complacent they have ceased to look to God for their daily needs, He allows them to come into crisis, because that’s when they turn back to Him, or fall away in anger.

This scripture from Matthew comes to mind. Jesus said:

"‘ The stone which the builders rejected,

This became the chief corner stone;

This came about from the Lord,

And it is marvelous in our eyes ’?

Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust” Matt. 21:42-43

My take on this scripture is that, if we don’t make Jesus our chief foundation stone- our whole foundation for life- we will not stand. Yes, if we fall on Christ now, becoming completely dependent on Him, He will require things of us: change, holiness, faith, obedience, the fruit of the Spirit, brokenness… Still, it’s better than the Rock falling on us, grinding us to powder! If we judge ourselves now, we won’t have to be judged by Him later. God may very well use the upcoming world scenarios to test our faith and resolve to follow Him no matter the cost, and to make us fit sons (and daughters) of His.

I want to be in the position that, if I don’t have enough food, I trust God to fill my pot, or my stomach. If I’m in physical danger, I trust Him to keep me safe, or bring me triumphantly into heaven. If I’m sick, that He will heal me; in need of a miracle, He’ll provide one; my tank empty of gas, He’ll fill it; persecuted for my faith; give me words to say.

I’m not there yet, but my PNG circumstances have gently pushed me in that direction. I definitely have had to trust Him more for healing, because the medical system here is both substandard and expensive. As I sit here writing this, there are lines of cars jamming up the roads waiting for gas at the stations that still have some. There is some dispute going on that has caused no gas to be delivered to the stations here in Port Moresby. Someone was on the side of the road today, charging 50k for 5 liters ($20 for a little more than a gallon). Our CEO doesn’t know if he has enough left in his car to get home (35 minutes away). Most of the local labor here gets to work riding the busses, but if there’s no gas, there will be a quick shutdown of maybe even essential services. We have a generator at the farm, if the electricity goes out (which it does several times most days), but it runs on GAS! So potentially, the frozen and refrigerated food could spoil. I could feel panicked, but somehow, I don’t. This past year has really strengthened my belief that God is in control of my life, and all I have to do is trust Him. Truly, “my times are in His hands”.

Faith Without Works is Dead

It's been 4 years since I posted on this blog, but I plan to remedy that oversight, and be consistent from now on. Truthfully, I didn't have that much to say when I was closeted away in my house wishing I were somewhere else. Well, now I'm somewhere else. I've discovered that I can closet myself away just as easily here as there, as anywhere. As the saying goes, "you take yourself with you." In other words, if I'm going to withhold myself from others by wallowing in self pity or rage or discouragement, I'll do it no matter the geographic location. It takes a change of heart. Heart changes can be sudden, but the working out of the change is usually gradual, and, thank God, I've had some heart change.

I could find homeless, poor, grieving, hopeless people as well in Nevada as I could in this 3rd world country, but I didn't. I tried to be helpful and encouraging to those at work, but its difficult when you feel helpless and discouraged yourself. I thank God for a patient husband, and a patient God, who sees my heart and takes me from glory to glory. Sometimes the glory starts out looking like a combat zone, and surely there is glory to be had in the battle, but it always ends in peace if one surrenders. I surrender!

One of my keys to success has been to take one thing at a time. When I arrived here at City Mission with my husband 6 months ago, I had no idea what my new life would look like. Fortunately, our new boss wanted us to acclimatize slowly before we took on too much, so we were given time to get used to the culture and the organization before having to jump in all the way. Steve gradually but steadily worked his way into his position as Administration Manager in Port Moresby. I took longer. My first project was to begin doing group sessions with the women at the mission's battered women's shelter. The more I interacted with these women, the fewer excuses I had for, well... anything. They are amazing. They are hungry and smart and determined to better their lives. I was faced with the realization that there is no valid excuse for hopelessness. I've been through STUFF, but it pales in comparison to some of their stories. Tomorrow, I begin a class with some of the boys at the farm where we live. There are about 180 boys there, ages 16-30, who used to be on the street, usually homeless and most certainly involved in criminal activity, but wanting to get out of it and find a better life. They learn about God, Literacy, vocational skills, and job training. I will be taking some of the boys who probably don't speak much English, and who never made it to 2nd grade. I have no idea what to expect, but I expect that I will be making a difference, because I am determined to go in there with faith, a positive attitude, and a willingness to "get my hands dirty." I really won't mind if these boys have TB or the AIDS virus, or have washed their hands since they used the bathroom. I can't say I don't care, but I'm not going to mind, because I've reviewed the promise that we can take up snakes and scorpions and they won't harm us if we're in pursuit of Extending His Kingdom, and because I need to put my money where my mouth is. Faith without works is, indeed, dead.