"The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can’t you see that?" Acts 21:13 (TM)

Over the past few weeks my older daughter has watched as all her friends leave for college. She has had numerous get togethers and had tearful "good-byes" as they head off to various academic institutions. She would have been one of them, but a few weeks ago she felt God calling her to spend, what would have been her Freshman year at the University of Iowa, in a missions program. She will spend three months in course work and three months on the mission field somewhere in the world. And so, as she works at the coffee shop and dutifully raises the financial support needed to go, she is left here in a small town, largely alone, to ponder her decision.

Many parents would be concerned, even fearful, if their children made this choice. I can hear the stern paternal words being uttered: "You can do whatever you want after you finish college, but you’re going to college and getting your degree! Then you can travel and save the world or whatever crazy thing you think you’re called to do!"

I, however, truly believe that my daughter has been called to this path. For her, this is the narrow way. This is the road less travelled. It would have been easier for her to take the prescribed course. She has never been one to rock the boat, and this decision is boat rocker in her life. I have watched her waiver. I have seen the wider, easier, well trod road beckoning her to follow with all of her friends. We have talked, texted, and prayed. At the end of all the wrangling, hand wringing, praying and doubts she returns to one fact. She has been called to go and, like Paul, she must be obedient to her Master’s call. It is what God will do through her obedience that is of the utmost importance.

That lesson alone is more important than whatever she’d learn in her entire Freshman year at the University of Iowa.