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Print “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22: 41-42). While looking for a good definition for the word “courage,” I found myself disagreeing with our time honored Webster’s Dictionary. It defines courage as the ability to face danger or obstacles without fear. It would seem to me that if I had no fear, I would have no need for courage. Courage is the willingness to face obstacles and danger in spite of our fears. Soldiers who go onto a battlefield are not fearless. Instead, they are on the battlefield because they believe in a cause and are willing to risk all and pursue to advance their cause. The fear of the possible consequences is ever present. Still, they press on in order to accomplish their mission. Before leaving the United States for an appointment as an AIM’er to Madagascar, I experienced feelings of fear pertaining to leaving my family and home and flying 10,000 miles away to live in another culture for at least one year. Would I be lonesome and homesick? Would my kids adjust okay? Would the people accept us? How would we communicate, when we did not know how to speak Malagasy? These were some of the many worries that plagued my mind. Yet in spite of all these thoughts and fears, my husband, three children, and I boarded the airplane and set off on our journey. Yes, it was a risk to leave all and pursue this dream of ours. But the blessings have far outweighed any personal cost as I can honestly say that the Lord has greatly anointed our lives and ministry here in Madagascar. Growth often results from our willingness to risk and pursue. Growth usually requires us to move out of our comfort zone and stretch toward the new and unknown (my comfort zone was in south Louisiana surrounded by a loving family, not in Madagascar). We all desire to grow spiritually; it’s the “growth pains” that we would prefer to do without. Most of the time, what we really want to pray is: “Lord, please help me to grow in You. But, please don’t allow me to feel uncomfortable or suffer.” The Apostle Paul could have prayed a prayer similar to this one. He could have said, “Lord, I want to reach Rome for You. But, please don’t let me suffer to get there.” Instead, we find Paul shipwrecked, a prisoner, and hungry. Paul was doing a great work for the Lord, but who would have guessed it looking at his circumstances? If we judged Paul by his circumstances, we would surely say that he had missed the will of God by a long shot. I often wonder, “Where do we get the thought in our mind that being in God’s perfect will means smooth sailing?” There surely isn’t much Bible to back up this theory; yet we all struggle with it. The last few weeks have been pretty tumultuous around the Benson household. It seemed that two cyclones decided to visit the island of Madagascar, one right after the other. Due to their visits, we have spent the greater part of four weeks without a phone line (therefore, no Internet—our lifeline connection to our family in the States), and the greater part of two weeks without electricity. During one week of our power outage, we had a candle fall over on a chair and set it on fire. Then there were the car problems at this same time: a master cylinder problem, a gear problem that made us drive for about five miles in first gear. Then one of the shocks froze up and broke, and a tire went bad. Added to this, our five-year-old Micah decided to play with a bull that was grazing near where we live and was head-butted by it. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured. The list could go on … Do I look at our physical circumstances and conclude that we have no business in Madagascar? No! Because during this same timeframe, we were privileged to travel with the Richardsons to the second largest city in Madagascar called Fianarasoa. There, missionary Chris Richardson and my husband, Mike, ministered mightily in the Holy Ghost. Several received the Holy Ghost and many lives were strengthened and encouraged. That power-charged weekend will not soon be forgotten as we saw the local churches inspired through the anointed Word of the Lord. Soon after, another large door opened as some local high-ranking officers in the Malagasy military visited a youth service where Bro. Mike preached. They were so touched by the word of God that they invited Bro. Mike to come and speak on the Bible for four hours at their school where they teach English. Bro. Mike spoke to three classes. He basically showed them how Jehovah of the O.T. is Jesus of the N.T. One of the colonels expressed the desire to have us visit his home for dinner. They also asked him to go to another branch of their school when they return to speak to the same classes. All in all, I would say it was a successful day. If teaching in these public places continues, the oneness message of Jesus Christ may explode in Madagascar. We are standing in awe at the doors that the Lord is opening for the church in Madagascar. Therefore, we cannot judge God’s will for us by our everyday circumstances. The circumstances of this past month have not always been pleasant. Even still, the power of God moving through our lives and blessing our ministry here has been overwhelming and well worth the small inconveniences we pay to live and minister here! It is safe to say that we gain courage by exercising our faith, just as we gain strength by exposing our muscle to the force of resistance. If we desire strength in our body, we exercise muscle. If we desire faith and growth in our lives, we exercise courage. We can choose to remain in our sheltered comfort zone. This choice takes very little effort on our part. But, for those who choose to venture outside of the norm, we need courage to face everyday struggles without focusing on our fears and the present dangers or obstacles in front of us. We need courage to face change without surmounting apprehension. Oftentimes, growth equals change. When we are growing, we are constantly changing. It is not always a pleasant experience. Sometimes growth is painful. Do you recall complaining of various aches and pains during your teenage years? Sometimes growth just makes us hurt! Each step up the path to Calvary took a great deal of courage. Jesus’ journey was filled with the knowledge of the pain and grief ahead. Still, He took every step for you and me. He pursued the cross, in spite of His fear, knowing that it would redeem mankind for eternity. Courage doesn’t require us to deny our fear. Instead, it requires us to pursue our cause in spite of our fear.
ninetyandnine.com © 2004, Danan Benson ---------- Danan Benson is thrilled to be living her dream on the beautiful island of Madagascar. She plans to be courageous even if another cyclone hits the island. |
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