Behind the Veil:: Unhelpful Things People Say in Risk #4

Living Behind the Veil

I'm often asked what I wear in Afghanistan and what it's like to wear a veil. It's freedom. Freedom to have a bad hair day, freedom to arrange my chadar to conceal the curve of my breasts and backside, freedom to not be an expatriate for a little while. It means freedom to hide even on the street from the Afghan men's eyes which seem to strip me naked.

When I relax my shoulders and walk less purposefully, less confidently, my eyes downcast and covered by sunglasses, I pass for an Afghan woman. I hear the men whisper in Dari, "Is she a foreigner or local woman?" I chuckle but am silent. On the street, I'm also a free target....freely exposed to groping, sexual innuendos whispered to me as a man bicycles by, free to have stones thrown at me, freely seen as no one's wife, daughter, sister, mother, friend, or boss. I step inside my gate, and remove my chapan and chadar. Now I'm someone's boss, motherhood returns to me as little steps run to greet me, and I receive a kiss from my adoring husband. Now I'm free to his loving and gentle eyes which know and enjoy my curves, free to once again be under the protective umbrella of being a wife, mother, friend, colleague, boss, niece, sister, daughter, woman.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Unhelpful Things People Say in Risk #4

This series is based on real statements really overheard in risk situations.

#4 Just pray about it." (CAME May/June 2017)

Paul's admonition to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess 5:17) means that we are to go about our lives in constant awareness of God's presence in our lives, His desire for invitation and involvement in every personal detail. James teaches we are to regularly ask God for advice (James 1:5).

Sometimes God wants to use another person to give advice to us!

When a worker facing risk shares a challenge or problem, it means they are needing to make a decision and are asking for help in discernment. This is itself a prayerful action - seeking wise counsel. To answer with "Just pray about it" totally ignores the Biblical injunction of asking for advice from others (I Kings 12:6-19; Ps 1:1-6; Prov 1:7; 3:1-35; 11:14; 12:15; 13:10; 15:22;19:20-22; 20:18; 28:26; I Jn 4:1).

Perhaps it would be better as member care providers and shepherd leaders to assume our sheep have prayed about it - they are, after all, global workers. Instead, ask

"How would you like me/us to pray?" or
"What specifically are you needing advice about," and
"How can we seek God together for his answer?" instead of giving the easy and glib answer.

Risk is confusing and complicated, but it is also an honor and an opportunity to be stewarded for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Go To:
Unhelpful Things People Say in Risk #3
Unhelpful Things People Say in Risk #5