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As a kid, the idea of fundraising terrified me. I hated it every year when the jump-a-thon would roll around. Sure, I loved to jump rope, and I knew I could do a lot. But there was no way I would win any prizes.

One, because we didn’t have any money, so my family wasn’t going to be able to give me a dime for every jump I made. And there was no way I was asking anyone else.

I couldn’t muster the courage.

The thought of someone slamming the door in my face or even politely saying no thank you broke my heart before I opened my mouth.

No way. I’m not doing it. Not alone.

In high school, I joined the annual staff. We were responsible for taking pictures and putting together the yearbook. But we also had to spend a week collecting sponsorships. This meant going and knocking on businesses and asking for money.

I had gotten bolder through the years. I had had plenty of experience asking for things by this point. The disappointment and fear of rejection weren’t as great anymore because the idea of someone saying yes was enough to motivate me.

We were paired up and as Elizabeth and I drove through town, I thought, “What’s the worst they can do? They could say no. That’s it.”

Some were polite and said they had spent all their money for the year but to come back earlier next year. Others said, “Who do I make the check out to?” And on a few occasions, some flat out said, “Not interested.”

I remember driving through Southside and passing a butcher shop. By the looks of the outside, they might need us to give them money. But we knew better than to pick and choose who we would ask. Everyone deserved a chance to be included. So, we marched in there, gave our pitch, and walked out with a sponsorship.

I’m thankful I had Elizabeth there with me. She made me bolder, braver, and more confident. I needed her support, encouragement, and, of course, her car! 

Acts 14:1-7
“At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There, they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,
7 where they continued to preach the gospel.”

Paul and Barnabas had experienced the beautiful grace of Jesus and knew the truth. They wanted to share it with everyone. Throughout their missionary journey, they encountered opposition. Not everyone wanted what they offered.

These two men knew what awaited them. They knew the risk of going from town to town and sharing the gospel. They knew doors would slam in their face, others might ridicule or yell at them to get out, and there was always the threat that they could be hurt or killed. But they knew in their hearts that the message of Jesus Christ was too great not to share. Jesus alone is worthy. He’s worthy of everyone’s praise. That in and of itself was enough to fuel their desire to go. But the idea that someone would say yes to Jesus was like icing on the cake.

We tend to think of Paul as this fearless, great man who forged the way for the gospel. And he did, but who said he was fearless? He said he wasn’t ashamed of the gospel. He said he would die for it, but did he ever say he wasn’t afraid?

No.

In fact, in Acts 18:9-10, God speaks to Paul to encourage and help him during a time when he was afraid. “One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Paul and Barnabas needed one another. They went in pairs, just as Jesus had instructed the 12 disciples. They encouraged one another, and together, they shared the task before them.

Missionaries are people too. They have fears, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed and inadequate. Just because they have surrendered to the mission of God doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid.

Like Paul and Barnabas, they know in their hearts that the message of Jesus Christ is too great not to share. Jesus alone is worthy. He’s worthy of everyone’s praise. That in and of itself is enough to fuel their desire to go. But the idea that someone would say yes to Jesus is like icing on the cake.

Pray for our missionaries. Encourage them. Support them. Get to know them. Take time to see who your missionaries are, where they serve, what God is doing in their area, and what challenges they face. They are people just like me and you. They feel what we feel. And they trust in God to provide all that’s needed and to use them however He deems necessary for the gospel to be shared.

May we have the courage to believe the same.

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