obedience

Two years ago we were just wrapping up a project training the "first generation" of Kosovar baseball coaches. The 20 that were there that week represented 3 cities. They represented a small group of interested athletes learning a sport that had no representation in their country; no baseball federation, no baseball clubs, no recognition.


That was two years ago.


Since that week in January, a number of these young people have become active in working to establish baseball as a new national sport in Kosovo. And while the challenges seem endless...the successes are propeling us forward.


Now, these coaches represent a new generation of athletes who want to build something new in their country. They are a generation of leaders who have stepped up to start baseball clubs in 6 cities. They are a generation of visionaries working together to establish the newest Baseball federation in the world.

Two years ago I wrote on a facebook update that I was "challenged by the reality of what we were called to do". That week, I had a number of conversations and experiences that seemed to really exhibit some of the challenges of working in a majority muslim country. 

Now, I realized I didn't even have a clue. The challenges ended up being overwhelming. In fact, I've wanted to quit and pursue a "regular career" on a pretty consistent basis. I've uprooted my family a half dozen times since 2010 in obedience to God's provision and call. Our health started to fail us. We've been lonely. We've struggled with depression. But all that wasn't because, necessarily, we were obedient. 

I think it was partially because we were neglecting the simple element of abiding and remaining in Christ. Thank GOD he has empowered us and protected us over the past years. That we are in a place, for a season, where we have some more of the support that we need; that we were unwilling/unable to even look for in Kosovo.

Our sermon series to start the year has been studying Genesis.This weekend our pastor taught from Gen 12 and Abram's call. In the previous weeks, he had pointed us to Noah's example of obedience and how, in many cases, obedience does not necessitate understanding. BOY has that message hit home! 

Yesterday Pastor Brian spoke on how God looks to bless us through his calling...but, and maybe more importantly, God looks to bless and build up others through our obedience. Just "coincidentally" I have been blessed recently in that God has been doing this through my ministry calling. I was able to share with the congregation a pretty cool testimony of how God has been working through our obedience. 

I'd like to invite you to listen to the sermon. There's some great stuff packed in it...I share at the 28 minute mark. I've been blown away by God's direction in obedience. Sometimes (a lot of the time) obedience doesn't mean "easier"...but it certainly is worth it!