This summer I was able to go to Croatia for a holiday with some teammates. We were staying in the beautiful coastal town of Split. One would not anticipate the possibility of getting lost on our way to the beach, but it happened both times we ventured toward a place of rest by the sea. The first time we discovered the power of groupthink and dehydration, as us three grown women rationalized an unnecessary uphill hike in search of waterside relaxation. After we realized there was no easy way down, we turned around, nourished ourselves with lunch and some lemonade and found our way to a life-giving swim.
The second time we got lost, we were headed toward a beach in the opposite direction. My teammate and I were walking farther and farther into a more and more desolate industrial looking part of town as we see a parking attendant walking toward us. He makes eye contact with us, starts walking the other way and in the most helpful and non-confrontational, gentile tone, says, “wrong way to the beach girls”. Our tourist was showing and we had a good laugh after a while! It seems as though he saw our beach bags, chose to speak English right off the bat, assumed where we were headed and suggested we reevaluate our choices in direction. I wonder how many times a day he says that to people. He did not have to say anything, but I am so thankful he did, so we didn’t have another uphill-hike-like experience.
Vulnerability is a great teacher. I am seeing the end of the great commission in Matthew 28:20 in a new way. This experience reminds me of what it is like to walk in faith for the great commission. I have a goal, but sometimes I am going in a ridiculous direction that doesn’t seem odd at the time, but when I get to step back and get some perspective, I realize the error in my ways. Or, sometimes I am gifted with some simple words of guidance. I hope to courageously offer guidance when I can, and humbly receive it with discernment when it is offered to me. Thankfully, no matter which strange path we venture off to, Christ is with us always as we make disciples of all nations. He is with us on the top of the mountain when we’re looking for the shore, and in the parking lot perpendicular to the beach.