I’ve just finished reading the first chapter of _Divine Conspiracy_. It opens with the story of a fighter pilot who decided to ascend to a higher altitude… but when she pulled back on the stick (true story), she crashed straight into the ground.

She had been flying upside-down without even knowing it.

Throughout the first chapter, Willard refers back to the illustration again and again as he chronicles situations in which Christians are unknowingly becoming apathetic and complacent with their faith.

My fear is — that missionaries are sometimes caught in the trap of becoming complacent too. Sure… those who support their work still put them on a pedestal and revere them highly. But deep down inside, I fear that many workers, though they be professional men and women “of the cloth”, are living more of the outside life than they are the inside core. So in the comments following this item, here’s your chance. You can write completely anonymously here. Nothing even grabs your IP address here. So in complete honesty, here’s your chance to tell the truth about your struggle and how you’re dealing with it. Who knows — maybe someone will give you a good word in answer. And if nothing else, you’ll inspire a lot of prayer. Give yourself a signature, please, so we’ll know how to pray. For example, “Signed, Discouraged.” And along with those anonymous thoughts and feelings, share your take on the first chapter of Divine Conspiracy. These are heartbeat items that real missionaries face. Just click “Comment” below to add a personal illustration, testimony, case study, or feedback on Willard’s Divine Conspiracy, Chapter 1.