First, I am reminded of the brevity of my own life while preparing for and taking a missions trip in a striking way that surfaces sharper than with any other activity in my life. I have my own little anxieties and “phobias” that I deal with and pray through each and every time, particularly flying, a foreign mission trip itself, and acts of terror. I know it’s ridiculous. I know statistics are more likely that I won’t make it home from work than that I won’t make it home from a missions trip. (In making that statement, I don’t want to be misleading. There are plenty of missionaries around the world who are putting their lives on the line for the Gospel every day) But for some reason, leaving for a missions trip always makes me ask, “What if I don’t come back?” I refuse to let these anxieties paralyze me. By the grace and strength of the Lord, I will not quit going on mission trips because of flying, dangers, or terror. I pray through those things, I give them to God, and I go. However, going through those fears forces me to stop my busy life and take note of my soul before God! It is always a refreshing time of bearing my soul, my sins, and my life before my Creator and Savior. I’m thankful for those little “phobias.” They keep me coming back to God in total surrender, trust, and faith.

Second, foreign missions places the sovereignty of God before me like no other activity in my life. My issue with flying may be a control deal. I don’t know. I do know this—when I sit down in my seat and the plane begins to taxi down the runway, I am forced to admit my life is totally, completely in the hands of my Father. Yes, it’s true, my life is always in the hands of God, but it’s never more clear to me than when on mission (or flying). Will I make it home? I must trust God. How about my wife and kids back home? Who will watch over them while I’m gone? Who will take care of them if I don’t return? The answer comes down to my loving, faithful, wise, sovereign Father! What will happen when we reach the field? What will be our assignments and opportunities? Only God knows! If you doubt the sovereignty of God, just go on a mission trip! The sanctifying effect comes when I am able to rest from all of my little fears because I can leave them with my sovereign Savior. He always knows best and always acts for His glory and my good. When I reach that point somewhere on my trip, I rest in Him, and it is good.

Third, the vast and various reach of the Gospel becomes ever so clear to me when I am on foreign soil. I read about missions, practically daily through Operation World, the Joshua Project, VOM, NTM, and other internet sources. I know some of what God is doing around the world. However, nothing replaces seeing it unfold firsthand. Last month I found myself standing in a rice field, located far off the main road where it was hidden, down a washed-out path, right in the middle of a remarkable ministry that began just 6 years ago. A church, an orphanage, and a seminary all tucked away in this little, unknown, green corner of God’s world. And unknown to most of the world, this little ministry is making a significant impact for the Gospel. That is just one example of how God is doing billions of works, in all kinds of places, in all kinds of ways, to move His Gospel to the ends of the earth. It is a glorious, sanctifying experience to stand in the middle of such a Gospel-soaked, God-honoring ministry and see the hand of God.

I’m thankful for the work God accomplishes in me when I “go” for Him!