How can cross-cultural risk be considered a form of worship?
By attuning our ear to hear God’s voice speaking to us to move into or out of
risk situations, by attuning our eyes to see His activity in the events
surrounding our risk situation, and by increasing and sensitive awareness of
His leading in our hearts, we demonstrate worship of Him.
Worship – what or whom
we place as of primary importance; we worship what or whom we love.
When is risk not worship?
When our whole focus and thought is on security – increasing
security and minimizing risk.
When our primary focus is on risk itself, elevating its
importance by our willingness to tolerate a lot…or a little risk.
Both security and risk are polar opposites, both are
seductive in their own way. Security is elusive. Risk leads to false
pride…or death. Either way, when we stiffen our neck, dig in our heals, and
attach our hearts and minds to either security or risk as a core value, we’ve
become idolatrous. (Ps 115:4-8)
When is risk worshipful?
Worshiping God with our hearts, minds, and strength (Deut 6:5) means
that we are prayerful and discerning when we continue on the path towards
impending danger. It means we do not elevate “staying with the locals” or
“being willing to be blown up” as the reason we stay. It means we have listened
again to hear God’s voice that this is what He wants for us, and we listen to Him
over and over again in each risk situation.
Moving away from risk as an act of worship is perhaps even
harder. We may feel judged and compared to others as if we are not courageous
enough. In this case, we elevate what man thinks, instead of God’s voice speaking. “Hear
O Israel” is God’s voice to the nation (Deut 6:4). The Lord is One, One
Lord over all. We serve the same Lord whether He calls us into risk or away
from risk.
Risk is worshipful when all of our relationships are moving
towards greater love towards each other, greater faith in God and hope in Him. Risk
is worshipful when the unity of His Spirit is preserved. Risk is worshipful
when God is most glorified by our actions, pointing others to Him in our
weakness.
Risk can be worship even when we are afraid, for we know that courage
is doing righteous action even when we feel fear. When we obey God’s calling
into risk, and do not let fear paralyze us, and we cultivate joy in risk, we
worship Him.
Let’s exhort each other to listen closely to God’s quiet
still voice in all the ways He speaks in risk, let us "see His voice" (Rev 1:12), so that we can truly worship Him
in all that we do in risk.