“And they overcame by the blood of The Lamb, by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives not even until death.” Rev 12:11
Something The Lord has been working on my heart and have been speaking to me about is “doing missions not as usual”, doing business not as usual. Most of us missionaries including myself go on short term mission trips and some even long term, with the hope of coming home alive. But what if we go and not come back? 
I remember going to East Asia and Thailand with that mindset. Although it was risky at times, I knew I was coming back. I expected to come back.
I am not condemning that but what we really need is a missions movement filled with fearless lovers, who will go on missions with the reality that they might not come back, to be prepared to lay down their lives, for they know there is a great reward for them if they would endure till the end. There is a crown of life that awaits them.
I don’t want to be a part of a “self preservation” missions movement nor do I want to call my generation to that.
But what is the motivation? How can one be so moved or motivated by something that would drive them to even death.
Passion is the driving force. It’s the very thing that motivated Jesus as He endured the cross, bearing the sins of humanity. Passion for us drove Him to the cross and it sustained Him while He was mocked, rejected, stripped, whipped, and crucified.
Well Amy, aren’t you scared? Aren’t you afraid of persecution, pain and death? What about families and loved ones? Of course I am afraid and of course my heart breaks at the thought of leaving families and loved ones. My flesh is begging to stay where it is safe, where it is comfortable, where there is certainty, where there is no risk needed. But He is worth everything that I am and everything that I have.
I mean isn’t that what Christianity is about? Radical lovers willing to lay down their lives for a cause. The cause of Christ. Isn’t He worth it? Isn’t He worth everything that we own? Everything that we are? When we look to His cross, does it not demand all of us, even our very lives? We are just a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. We only have one life, why shouldn’t we waste it on Him, who gave it all for us. It’s easier said then done of course. But it all starts with a yes and then another yes to the things of God. It requires a no and then another no to the things of the world and the things of our flesh.
Nevertheless, the weak yes in my heart triumphs over the endless questions in my mind. My love for Him overcome fears and doubts.
Oh but there is a comforting promise that He is with us: “I will be with You even till the end and happy is he who is persecuted for righteousness sake.”
I want to follow Him where ever He leads me. He is My Sheperd and I trust His perfect leadership.
He is worthy of it all. He truly is worth it all.
