Joy in the journey?

There is a joy in the journey

There's a Light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

And freedom for those who obey...

Those words of Michael Card take on more meaning than I once understood 25 years ago when Michael sung them at our wedding. Now we are entering into a new wonder and wildness to life as we have been officially appointed by the Christian and Missionary Alliance to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Forget not the hope that's before you

And never stop counting the cost

Remember the hopelessness when you were lost...

Because Jesus suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:11-14), I will go to Him in Bosnia. I will forget not the hope before me, and never stop counting the cost. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, so I take up my cross and follow Him. Getting rid of most of our possessions, selling our house of 13 years, leaving the comforts and security of this life, moving across the ocean from our family, church family, and two oldest children are all the costs I am counting right now.

Yes, there is a joy in the journey, but the joy that Jesus spoke of is one of submission, suffering, and sacrifice. Jesus, Light of the world, went there first and promises to be with me (Matthew 28:20), and so I go.