Vision, Passion, and Confidence

“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
William Carey


As Hudson Taylor stood on Brighton Beach a hundred years before I was born and said these words, “I must do something for China”, we too stand together under the direction of God and say with certainty, “We must do something for these pastors and leaders in hidden places.” While our voices are certain, the path to accomplishment is sometimes a little more precarious. It’s like crossing a stream where the steppingstones are partially submerged and often covered with slippery moss.

Even though chosen steps are sometimes slippery, God brings clarity in the direction. As we enter 2006, we are certain of several things.

First, we must never become too comfortable with the vision God has given us: To equip and encourage sacrificial servants in restricted access countries in order to advance the Great Commission to the glory of God. You may be thinking that I chose a strange combination of words in “become too comfortable”. But that was intentional because if we become too comfortable, then we lose humility. If we lose humility, then we have disregarded the need for God’s power and presence. If we disregard the need for God’s power and presence, then we might as well abandon ship.

Regardless of mountaintop or valley, a full or bare cupboard, that vision is the end to which we aim. Because we are sold out to that vision, we are committed to taking steps on partially submerged stones. It is not reckless, it is born in faith. Because we have a vision, we become visionaries whether we feel like it or not. George Barna suggests, “Visionaries are never willing to shelve God’s vision simply because the resources appear to be unavailable…”.

Secondly, as we are driven by vision we must be fueled by passion. As I made the transition to full time service with Aquila in September, I began to undergo a metamorphosis. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t do some of the tasks that my family was accustomed to me being responsible for. I was consumed by the task at hand. My mind doesn’t have an “off” switch. Passion is the element that causes us to “not grow weary in well doing.

Lastly, as we are fueled by passion, we realize that our confidence is in God alone. It is my confession that we will never be “good enough” to accomplish this vision without the presence and power of God. My daily prayer is that my confidence in God will grow. As that confidence grows, so does my ability to step where it looks slippery. Sometimes that step will result in a fall. Sometimes the greatest growth is when we are flat on our back in the cold creek with a bump on our head. But the beauty of believing is that we can celebrate His presence even in the midst of missteps.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "When thy God hides his face, say not that he has forgotten thee. He is but tarrying a little while to make thee love him better, and when he cometh, thou shalt have joy in the Lord and shalt rejoice with joy unspeakable."

As we celebrate what God has done, as we look forward to the days ahead, we celebrate the community of the journey as we seek to equip and encourage 700 sacrificial servants in 2006. We covet your prayers. We cherish your Partnership.

Thank you for taking the journey with us!

David Robbins
President
The Aquila Project

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