For the Sake of the Call

One of my all time favorite songs is “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman.  We will abandon it all…..No other reason at all….Wholly devoted to live and to die….The words, the music, I love it all.  I had this song, and another one by this same author (fodder for my next blog) on my mind as Sharon and I got ready to follow the Lord’s calling to Montana.

As I revisit some of my decisions in life, I know that the pursuit of some of my dreams has turned into, well, nightmares.  Figuratively and literally.   But, I’ve come out of them alive and well.  Sometimes I wonder if pursuing my dream of following God has not turned into a bit of a nightmare for those who are along for the ride with me?  After all, the dream of living in a paradise like this (for me) may better be represented by the words “Siberia” or “Gulag” for other members of my family!

But what can one do?  When you hear the word GO…..do you have a choice?  I mean, if my previous employer had offered me the chance to move and improve my career — I would have moved after a modicum of prayer and meditation, unless the NO was too obvious.  I mean, getting transferred to London, or Chicago would’ve been a great opportunity, right?  And tough on anyone else.  More so, if my boss had said “Dan, I really need for you to go to Montana and take care of some clients there.” I would’ve fallen out of my chair!  It would have been so obvious, right?

One member in particular has had a harder time dealing with the move than others, but all have left behind friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, schools, favorite places and activities, et cetera.  Honestly, when I thought of leaving it all, my original thoughts were “it’s not so hard….I mean, we’ll still be living in the US (well, barely)….it’s not so hard.”  But looking back, perhaps I may have been too cavalier in my  evaluation.  Even for myself.  We all left behind:

• A church we loved and which loved us in return
• A youth group that loved and served us and which we were able to love and serve in return
• Ministry
• Closeness to Family
• Dear, deep, significant personal friendships
• Cultural habits and customs

And probably more.  For the sake of the call.  As you might tell, I find myself being bummed out by the impact my choices have had on others.  Even those choices that are “good”.  In the end, I can’t be responsible for others’ reactions or lack of willingness to expand or grow.  I find myself in the middle of a very mobile society.  Military families get moved at the drop of a hat.  Businessmen get transferred without warning.  We move because we can.  We move because there is opportunity elsewhere.  We move because there is adventure, something bigger than ourselves, something to live for and to die for.

On to The Great Adventure.

Best,

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