This morning, I was reading Acts 28, where Paul endured a shipwreck and, as if that wasn’t enough, got bitten by a viper. This story stood out as I thought about our current deployment in the Grenadines, which is filled with constant challenges. No power, no running water, no cell signal, relentless mosquitoes, stinging centipedes, attacking land crabs, food poisoning, dehydration, sleepless nights, storms at sea, and a spiritual battle with skinwalkers—it’s been anything but comfortable. Even back home, things are upside-down—a flooded basement, broken appliances and cars, electrical issues, and other weird problems that want to make you throw in the towel.
Verse 5 jumped out at me. Paul shakes off the viper into the fire and suffers no ill effects. This reminded me that many of our setbacks, though real, are more like “smoke and mirrors” when we shake them off and keep our focus on God and the mission at hand. Paul’s journey wasn’t easy, and neither is ours. We must not dwell on the attacks and disappointments but instead focus on the Waymaker. What is coming against you today and draining your time and energy rather than simply praying and believing for the solutions?
I was further encouraged when I read on in verse 7. “There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”
Just as Paul found favor and was shown generous hospitality, we were invited to work on the island of Mayreau. Although we had fever and dysentery (some of us had food poisoning), we prayed, and the symptoms did not last.
As Wave 2 of CRI Volunteers arrived, they followed the Holy Spirit’s leading, and the first testimonies of healing and powerful ministry came in. Two people were healed of lung issues. This is a powerful reminder that God has a special apostolic assignment for CRI. We have a unique opportunity on this tiny island to partner with God and His Church and see the Kingdom crash in. Even amid the setbacks and issues, almost every time we prayed for solutions, they manifested quickly. I believe all the provisions, favor, and resources for the journey ahead will come, and this is just the start of what God wants to do, but it takes willing vessels to carry out God’s purposes.
Hurricane Beryl and the devastation are unmatched. For the scale and scope of this event, I have been struggling to understand why there aren’t more volunteers. This deployment is undoubtedly not for everyone. However, in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul recounts his sufferings and calling as an apostle, underscoring our mission’s actual costs and rewards. His imprisonments, beatings, and shipwrecks show that hardship is part of spreading the gospel. As CRI Responders sent to the harvest field of crisis, we can expect things to be hard. We are called to the hardest and darkest. We are crisis response missionaries who serve to see the harvest in crisis come in.
Sometimes, when we focus on the difficulties and challenges of deployment, our lack of finances, and all the inconveniences, we will often disqualify ourselves from the historical exploits God has prepared for us in advance. Paul boasting about his weaknesses rather than his strengths reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our frailty. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our limitations are opportunities for God’s strength to shine. Many times over, I have deployed when I was extremely weak, the odds stacked against me, and several times dealing with relentless physical issues.
True apostolic work involves significant sacrifice and dedication. Sacrifice is a profound expression of love and obedience to God. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). Sacrificial acts, whether in the form of time, resources, or personal comfort, are tangible expressions of this love. They show a willingness to place God’s will and the needs of others above personal desires, aligning with the biblical principle of selflessness.
Sacrifice often requires believers to leave their comfort zones and rely on God. In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Taking up one’s cross implies a daily commitment to sacrifice and reliance on God. Such sacrifices can strengthen faith, as believers witness God’s provision and faithfulness in response to their obedience.
Sacrifices made for the sake of the Kingdom often lead to the advancement of God’s work on Earth. In John 12:24, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat: “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This illustrates how personal sacrifices can lead to greater spiritual fruit and the spread of the Gospel. When believers sacrifice, they contribute to the larger mission of revealing God’s glory and extending His Kingdom.
Sacrifice has a transformative effect on the believer’s character and spiritual growth. Romans 12:1 urges believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is their true and proper worship. This act of sacrificial living renews the mind and transforms individuals into Christ’s likeness, fostering spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God.
Lastly, the Bible teaches that sacrificial living brings joy and reward. In Matthew 16:25, Jesus states, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” This paradox highlights that true life and fulfillment in the Kingdom of God are found through sacrificial living. The rewards of such sacrifices may not always be immediate, but they are assured in the eternal perspective of God’s Kingdom.
Despite the setbacks and suffering, our labor for the gospel leads to the manifestation of God’s power and grace. Let’s persevere and stay committed, knowing the impact of our work goes beyond the immediate challenges.
Our mission in the Grenadines is vital. This deployment signals a crossing over for CRI into its true apostolic calling. Simply meaning, “sent ones” with true power and authority to demonstrate and release the Kingdom of God and leave fruit that remains and multiplies. This will and should come at a cost. However, cost and sacrifice are foreign to our Western expression of Christianity. Honestly, the opposition and challenges we currently are facing are grade school stuff compared to what Christians face on the daily in other parts of the world. As Paul’s experiences show, our present sufferings are temporary and pave the way for eternal rewards. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and remain steadfast in our calling.
I am looking for those willing to sacrifice themselves and pay the price for the gospel’s sake. Those who at any cost want to see Jesus shine and receive the rewards of His sufferings. I am looking for those not distracted and sidelined by the drama of the bad news surrounding us and our nation and the fears of what they might lose. That snake has bitten many and injected its venom of fear and doubt, leaving them wringing their hands, clinging to what they cannot keep anyway. Why not just voluntarily get uncomfortable and go do great things again?
I ask you to ask God once again if this deployment is for you. I am looking for the “weak and willing ones” who will let God’s strength and provision send them. Maybe you cannot go, but you can send someone who can. Maybe you need a season to break away from the naysayers in your life and take the time to gain fresh courage for your calling.
This fall, we intend to run an ARC School. The focus will be on training and mobilizing mercy missionaries with an apostolic response to fulfill the Great Commission in the context of crisis. In the meantime, remember to shake off the snakes, disregard the smoke and mirrors, and don’t let the enemy hold you down for another moment.
Staying strong and focused,
Sean Malone
Founder and Director, Crisis Response International
