Serving God in cross-cultural settings always provokes interesting conversations with those from our passport countries. Some find our forays into missions far away as fascinating and exotic. Nowadays, with globalization and the ability to interact with friends and colleagues all over the world, many people are somewhat nonchalant: “Ah, they are spreading the gospel just like us; they just happen to live in another country.” But still others never cease to amaze us with wide-eyed questions based in disbelief:
“How do your kids go to school there? Is there good education?”
“We know it’s dangerous there. Do you ever go out?”
Increasingly I have come in contact with more and more Christians who are living their lives based on comfort and fear. God is a God who always wants us safe after all, right?
Recently I came across a parable that I had read many years ago, written by the Danish thinker, Sören Kierkegaard. It has me examining my own penchant to talk a good talk while failing to “spread my wings and fly.” Will I – will we – embrace the adventure God has for us? Or will we continue to enjoy our comfy brand of Western Christianity?
Kierkegaard’s Parable of the Geese
“A certain flock of geese lived together in a barnyard with high walls around it. Because the corn was good and the barnyard was secure, these geese would never take a risk.
One day a philosopher goose came among them. He was a very good philosopher and every week they listened quietly and attentively to his learned discourses. ‘My fellow travelers on the way of life,’ he would say, ‘can you seriously imagine that this barnyard, with great high walls around it, is all there is to existence? I tell you, there is another and a greater world outside, a world of which we are only dimly aware. Our forefathers knew of this outside world. For did they not stretch their wings and fly across the trackless wastes of desert and ocean, of green valley and wooded hill? But alas, here we remain in this barnyard, our wings folded and tucked into our sides, as we are content to puddle in the mud, never lifting our eyes to the heavens which should be our home.’
The geese thought this was very fine lecturing. ‘How poetical,’ they thought. ‘How profoundly existential. What a flawless summary of the mystery of existence.’ Often the philosopher spoke of the advantages of flight, calling on the geese to be what they were. After all, they had wings, he pointed out. What were wings for, but to fly with? Often, he reflected on the beauty and the wonder of life outside the barnyard, and the freedom of the skies.
And every week the geese were uplifted, inspired, moved by the philosopher’s message. They hung on his every word. They devoted hours, weeks, months to a thoroughgoing analysis and critical evaluation of his doctrines. They produced learned treatises on the ethical and spiritual implications of flight. All this they did. But one thing they never did. They did not fly! For the corn was good, and the barnyard was secure!”
My mother told me since I was six years old that I said I wanted to be a teacher, but I had forgotten. I think that to be a teacher was in God’s plan for me. It was through my profession that God prepared me for the mission field when I was sent to work far from home. Now that I am serving in missions, God has used my education, work with children and teaching to open doors. I know that we cannot separate the secular from ministry; everything that we know and everything we do should honor God. Only through our work will God open new paths to expand his kingdom.”
“Being a doctor meant that many people were willing to get to know us when they needed some kind of medical attention. It also allowed us to open a clinic in the community, and in that way the community got to know the church. The local people knew us well and knew that there was a doctor in the church. They came for help at all hours. We could hold medical outreaches from the church and in other parts of the community where we worked. I am grateful to God for the opening that my career has given me. Though sometimes it is exhausting, it brings me great joy to know that in some way it helps me to serve God.”
“I am a social worker. The goal of my profession is to design and implement projects and strategies that assist individuals, groups, communities and societies inpreventing or solving societal needs and problems. The Church is called to show love and compassion in the midst of a vulnerable society. We created a program for teenagers to meet twice a week to play, spend time together, laugh and meditate on Scripture and what God wants from them. We’ve also developed strategies to work with women and children, such as a women’s conference and a Kids’ Club. My career has helped me to focus on doing what God has called me to: preach his Word through actions and with compassion.”
Daniela Solano, Tibas Church of the Nazarene:
Danah Webb Leandro, Desamparados Church of the Nazarene:
“When I was little, I dreamed of being a doctor. Later, like all children, I changed my mind and decided that I wanted to be a teacher. Even though I changed my mind about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was sure that in some way, whatever my job, I would help people. When I wanted to be a doctor, I imagined working somewhere in the mountains, helping people with limited resources. When I wanted to be a teacher, I imagined being a teacher for needy kids. A while ago, God began to also put in my heart the idea of being a missionary, but I ignored him because it scared me. 
During the week, we worked a lot with them: teaching Bible lessons, memorizing verses, and having fun with games and snacks. Still, to be honest, I didn’t feel like I was having a great impact on the emotional life of these kids. But on the last day one of the children came up to me sobbing and so sad because we had to go. He told me, ‘You are like my sister.’ It broke my heart and I wanted to spend more time with him. I wanted the chance to continue being a part of his life because his need for love was so great. I pray that he and all the children we ministered to would be held by Jesus, and that they would feel his love and protection.” – 