Everybody Get Dangerous

There are millions of Americans who go on short-term missions vacations (oops, I mean missions trips) each year. I say 'vacations' because many well-meaning people evaluate missions trips as if they are on a pleasure cruise.
'What are the bathrooms like?'
'Where will we sleep?'
'Can I bring my hair dryer?'
'Will I be able to call my boyfriend?'
'Is if safe?'
-Tom Davis

The Tyndale missions team to India left today. They are gone for three weeks. For a number of reasons I've been thinking about their trip, and what my wishes for them would be. I've been thinking about how I should pray for them. I don't want this trip to be a pleasure cruise.

I don't want them to fly across the world, do a good deed, and come back feeling better about themselves. I want this trip to mean something. I want this trip to change the world. I don't know if I want this trip to change their world, or the world of the people they interact with, but either way... I want this trip to change the world. But no one ever changed the world by playing it safe.

I think that's what struck me most about the above quote. We laugh off questions about going to the bathroom, and hair dryers, but when someone puts that on the same level as whether or not we are going to be safe, that's occasion for a pause. If we stay safe the entire time, if we are prepared for everything we encounter, if we don't find ourselves beyond our ability, then we will keep on operating under our own strength. It is when we venture beyond these limits that God takes over entirely, not as a gesture, but out of necessity.

We don't have the capacity to change the world that we are in. It requires an outside force. If we give up ourselves to that outside force, I can't even imagine the implications of what the world will look like. So when I pray for this team, when I pray for the other teams, when I wish them well, when I send them messages, I pray for change. I pray that Jesus wrecks their life. I pray that their hearts are broken and they get worn out. I pray that they experience something that is so much more than a vacation.