Disciplined Discipleship

International travel is something no one should take lightly. We soon will be leaving our culture and all that is familiar, comfortable and known, to that where much will be unfamiliar, uncomfortable and unknown. We take for granted the health care and its availability here, the food and its variety here in San Diego, along with everything available to solve our simplest to most complex needs, culturally and 'normally' with the methodology to access it all. Our homes bulge with tools and materials that can be accessed when illness strikes, or when hunger strikes. The plethora of tools in my garage are regularly used to more readily 'fix' and solve automotive or living challenges that come our way. All these will be left behind, only to have what I take with me in my 'arsenal' of baggage.

There is an unique discipline to international travel, and preparation will forge success in most cases. The unexpected may and will happen, but because we will be with those who are and have been part of the culture for many years, as transplanted Americans, we should be fine in their care and especially in the care of God. There is a weight limitation on baggage and we only get to take one. I will bring my medicines and nebulizer (won't make the mistake of traveling without it again) for my rare illness induced asthmatic attacks, cordless table saw and drill (okay, so I won't be taking the last two items). I'll wash the clothes I wear every day, making room for 'other' tools (okay, just kidding here too).

One of the things I find most comforting is that my teacher and guide through this life, owns the whole world and everything in it, yet had no place to lay his head at night, carried no tools to help him solve His problems, nor did He even carry any money (though another disciple was in charge of some of the money they used). Now that is faith and trust. So, as I prepare for the trip, I find myself listening, more than doing, praying, more than talking, seeking wisdom more than scrambling, and just waiting for His nudging, His still, small voice. You see, I could pack a whole lot of things that I might not even use, and yet, that does not mean I am not to take it with me. I don't find my peace in my breathing machine, my tools, or my clothes, but by the provision God will give us in each moment.

One of my fondest memories was being a chaperone on a high school band tour. There were many 'problems' on this trip (not with students, but with accommodations and other things). Our bus pulled in to a restaurant for us to eat. As we boarded and prepared to leave, the bus would not start. No click, nothing. The bus driver was concerned and called his company, though we were several hours away from them. Meanwhile I asked him to open the compartment where the battery was. He did so and I didn't see anything wrong, until he tried to start the bus as I peered into the battery compartment. In there were a bank of batteries and as soon as he turned the key, sparks flew from one of the battery terminals. Apparently someone had not tightened the battery cable to the terminal so every time the bus driver would start the engine a chunk of the battery terminal was blown off by the electrical arcing with now only half of it remaining. It was Sunday and after calling his office, the bus company's only solution was to drive up a battery which would arrive in a few hours.

Well, that meant that we would miss our rehearsal time with other bands for the next day's performance. I can remember asking God for the wisdom He had often given me when I found myself in these kinds of situations, and my eye caught the red and white swirl of a Coke can in the corner of the parking space next to me. I had just happened to be wearing my Leatherman and the thought entered my mind. What if I were to cut a ribbon of aluminum can, wrap it around the battery terminal just enough to provide sufficient connection for our bus to start? Once started, the engine would no longer need the battery, we could get to our rehearsal, and maybe the replacement battery would arrive while we practiced. The entire bus cheered as the engine fired up ready to complete our immediate mission.

I wish I could say that it was my idea, or that I saved the day. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sure, I understand automobiles, but certainly not busses! There were plenty of things that could have gone wrong with disastrous results. I usually blow a gasket when someone litters, leaving their stuff for others to pick up, yet, if it wasn't for that Coke can laying there, I don't know what I would have done...probably nothing.

Confident that God has called us to be a disciple of His, confident of His call on our lives and to Croatia, we step out on an adventure of faith. We trust in His provision, and His care in every situation that passes. The discipline part of being a disciple is making a choice to turn to Him, seeking His desire for the hour, the day, the trip, and each challenge that befalls us. I believe He sets these challenges before us to help us discern the discipline of being His disciple. Countless times, even in good times, I find myself turning my ear to Christ, the Holy Spirit and God, asking Him for His leading in my life. I know our team will be doing the same and has been doing the same since we all decided He has called us on this excursion of faith.

Those of you who read this and pray for us are partners in the excursion and without your support and the guidance of Christ, we would most certainly meet failure and insignificance, or worse yet, incredible disaster. Thank you for joining us as part of our team! Thank you for being a part of our collective sacrifice for His glory. Thank you for your disciplined discipleship into and through our lives. It is an honor for us, together, to serve the Almighty God!