So let’s get to bottom line here. Let’s ask the tough question.
Why is it that some pastors are willing to send their people out and some are not?
It may be a matter of security – because sending comes from a place of security.
It may be a matter of mindset – since we tend to operate from a place of scarcity instead of abundance.
It may also be that we are afraid.
Afraid of what?
Afraid that God might send us.
I am convinced that one of the biggest reasons that we do not embrace a theology of sending is because we are personally afraid of being sent.
Seems we might be afraid of an Isaiah moment:
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
It is human nature to be afraid of being sent. Look at the people in scripture that were not exactly excited about being sent.
Abraham was not too keen on being sent away from his homeland.
Joseph was sent to Egypt in captivity, not in freedom.
Moses ran from God for forty years.
Isaiah said “yes I will go” and then later said “what am I doing?”
Jeremiah was not really pumped about being the weeping prophet.
Jonah nearly drowned before he said “yes” to God.
Jesus Himself was not looking forward to the cross.
Being sent is scary! It is full of fear and uncertainty and the unknown.
How do we overcome the fear of being sent?
How do we overcome the fear of sending others?
Fear is overcome most commonly by conviction.
I was a lifeguard during my high school years. I tried out for the swim team, but was not fast enough. My swim coach told me I was a strong swimmer, but was never going to be a fast one. He suggested life guarding. I liked the idea of making some extra money. And the thought of making the money while sitting around a pool was not too bad either.
Except for one thing. The thought of going into the water after someone that was drowning was a bit scary. But I decided I would deal with that later and signed up for lifeguard training.
I got through the training and decided that if someone were drowning, I would go into the water to get them out. I also told myself that the odds were that I would never have to actually make a rescue.
Seemed to make sense. Until the summer afternoon when I pulled two drowning kids out of the pool within an hour of each other.
How did I overcome my fear of going into the water to rescue someone? By making the decision ahead of time that if that was what I was called on to do, I would do it.
Conviction trumps fear every time.
Being sent is a scary thought.
Allowing people to drown in their sin without rescuing them is even scarier.
It is time for our convictions to win the day.
My conviction is that I am sent – and I will go wherever God send me.
My conviction is that I will send others – and empower and release them to go.
My conviction is that I will pray for God to send more – even as I am sending.