Cons and Pros
"... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Gen. 12:3b

Agnes was undecided.
Dorothy had invited her to teach English to Somalian refugees in the inner city. Agnes went with Dorothy the last two Thursdays to see what it was like, and realized how teaching English from the Bible would allow her to build friendships with Somalian women and even share her faith with them.

But now Agnes had to decide whether or not this was what she really wanted to do—to become a missionary to local Somalians. To help her make up her mind, she made a list of the pros and cons.

1. The inner city is dangerous.
2. My schedule is too busy.
3. I don't understand their customs.
4. They smell funny.
5. I wonder if they're laughing at me.
6. Hearing about Islam makes me uncomfortable.
7. They're already set in their beliefs.
8. Do I have the patience?
9. Do I love these people enough?
10. Will my efforts bear any fruit?

1. Dorothy will go with me.
2. Some of the ladies seem to like me.
3. They will hear about Jesus.

That's a very short list of "pros." Even though number 3 should outweigh all the "cons" on her list, human fear and sin can keep that from happening. Our love for others is too weak, and our personal fears are too great. In fact, without more pros, Agnes is likely to say "No" to being a missionary to Somalian refugees.

God knows this about us. In fact, He addressed this challenge in the story of Abraham, once called Abram. Let's look at his story in our upcoming columns.

The word missionary means "one who is sent." Interestingly, the story of the people of God begins with someone being sent. "The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you" (Gen. 12:1). Just look at all the "cons" in this command from the Lord:

• Good-bye, home. Hello, strange, unfamiliar land.
• Good-bye, folks like me. Hello, foreign people and languages.
• Good-bye, dear family. Hello, loneliness.
• Good-bye, safety. Hello, danger.

It's a wonder Abram obeyed. Yet, if you could peek in the Bibles of missionaries, you would often find words like these scribbled in the margin at Genesis 12:1: "Abram left home, just as I did. His new land was strange and foreign, just like mine. Abram had to trust God for everything. Ditto for me."

Question: With all the cons, why did Abram leave home? Why do missionaries today continue to leave a life that is familiar and dear? Answer: Because of the pros.
God listed seven pros for Abram in Genesis 12:2-3:

1. "I will make you into a great nation
2. and I will bless you;
3. I will make your name great,
4. and you will be a blessing.
5. I will bless those who bless you,
6. and whoever curses you I will curse;
7. and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

The seven pros add up to one mighty mission promise. Down through the forty centuries since the days of Abram, the Lord has kept on keeping this promise. Like He did for our spiritual forefather, God also blesses us in Christ so that we can be a blessing to "all the peoples of the earth."

Abram weighed the pros and cons. Then he stepped out in faith. When Agnes adds the promises of Gen. 12:2-3 to her list, she too will have all she needs to step out in mission to Somalians.
How about you?

1. Describe a time when you had to adjust to a new culture or environment.
2. Which sections of Genesis 12:2-3 apply only to Abram? Which apply also to you today?
3. On the basis of Genesis 12:2-3, what pros can be added to Agnes's list? to your list?

• Identify refugees in your area who would be blessed by the care and witness of Christians.