After watching the movie “End of the spear”, I was thinking of all the people I know in the history of the church who lost their lives for their faith. The faith of these five missionaries was so dynamic that they could not keep it to themselves; in fact they knew that the Waodani tribe of Ecuador was the most violent society ever documented by anthropologists, but that did not stop them from going to them to share about the Loving God. The risk of losing their life was high, but the passion to share about Christ was much higher among these missionaries.
I do not know what makes a person’s faith so radical and dynamic, but one thing I did understand pretty clearly is that there is something special about their faith. As Christians most of us claim that we have faith, but did our faith ever get us into trouble? (Trouble may not be a necessity, but the Bible says that it should be expected. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Tim 3:12). If we notice the lives of most missionaries and even some evangelists their faith got them into deep trouble, many of them knowingly risked their lives and several of them lost their lives for the gospel.
The risk of losing their life was high, but the passion to share about Christ was much higher among these missionaries.
Fifty years ago when these missionaries were killed, may be many questioned the wisdom of these five men. I am sure there were also people who warned them about the foolishness of trying to reach a tribe like Waodani. In a sense the obvious question an average Christian would ask is “Is it worth”? I mean for five well educated, highly talented, young men with great potential and future to lose their lives in an attempt to reach a remote tribe with the gospel of Christ. According to the story they were killed even before they had an opportunity to share the gospel to these barbarians.
I think for many this kind of faith appears to be foolishness because it seems neither productive, nor fruitful, in other words an apparent ‘failed mission’.
I think for many this kind of faith appears to be foolishness because it seems neither productive, nor fruitful, in other words an apparent ‘failed mission’. Of course fifty years later, here we stand witnessing the power of their sacrifice and courage that transformed the whole tribe, but what would you think of these missionaries if you heard this news fifty years ago? Let me confess, honestly there were times when I wondered if it is a waste, because in my own mind there are so many alternative ways of serving the Lord and reaching out people that does not involve risking my life or my family.
Back home when I was in India working as an Evangelist among college students, my faith got me into few troubles, but I do not know of many Christians whose faith is getting them into trouble here in the Western World. I am not being naïve to the unseen spiritual battle going on and the constant humiliation and mockery Christians are going through in their daily life because of their faith in Jesus Christ even here in the United States. However, I think we should admit that our faith has not got us into trouble and I often wonder if there is something wrong with our understanding of Christian life and our calling. May be our faith is too compromised that it is failing to make an impact on our society. Or maybe we are too conscious of our identity in this world, and hate to be considered foolish by this world. In Jim Elliot’s own words “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
I believe boats are safe when they are anchored to the shore, but that is not the reason why people make boats. Boats are built so that they will get into the deep and go through the waves and storms. Yes, some boats and even ships are destroyed by shipwreck, but that does not mean the rest of the boats should be anchored to the shore. Just like boats are built to cruise through the waves and storms, as Christians we are called to carry the gospel everywhere we go. I think as Christians we fail in our mission if we are too conscious of our safety and security, we are called to live our faith so that our lives (even our death) can be used by the Lord for the extension of His kingdom. When was the last time your faith got your into any kind of trouble?
I believe boats are safe when they are anchored to the shore, but that is not the reason why people make boats.
– – Author: Rev. Francis Burgula – –
