A few years ago, I went to visit my aunt and uncle in Michigan. My aunt is a musical savant. She is known around the world for her "gift" of music and playing unusual and eclectic instruments. When I was visiting with them, my aunt announced we were going on a road trip to see a "world famous" Irish whistle maker. She had high hopes to buy one of these special whistles. Road trip!!!!! FUN!! But when we were belted in the car en route to said whistle craftsman, she informed us that this whistle man was no ordinary man. he was eccentric, AND it had been known that if he didn't like you, he would NOT sell you his whistles!
We were under strict instructions to be on our BEST behavior, no matter the circumstances. Well, I am a rule follower, so I thought no worries. We got this. I mean how bad could it be?
We pulled up the gravel driveway to an old farm house. Around the back of the house was a barn like shed. There were hundreds of whistles hanging from the old rafters, and I remember a big long wood table took up most of the floor space. My aunts eyes light up like a kid in a candy store. In her amazing way she charmed the old whistle man and was soon playing whistle after whistle to find just the right one. I could tell that this eccentric artist wasn't so sure about people touching his crafted masterpieces. I was starting to get nervous that we would be sent away empty handed, and my aunt would be devastated! But soon his focus shifted and that's when I realized I was in the hot seat.
The old man set his sights on me. The closer he would get to me, I would take two steps away from him. I was trying not to be obvious, but pretty soon I was doing laps around the table in lightning speed to flee from the whistle man, and yet not blow our mission. On about my sixth lap, I looked over at my uncle and gave him the "hairy eyeball." The one that specifically said loud and clear, "Are you serious!" "Rescue me!" Three more laps around the table, my eyebrow raised to my uncle clearly said, "Don't make me tell my dad, your older brother, that you didn't SAVE ME!" My uncle was in a conundrum. Abandon his niece in her time of need, or drive home in the car two hours with his wife who was whistle denied.
This whole time, ironically, beautiful music was being made by my aunt as she played every one of those whistles hanging from the rafters. I do mean every one of them!
Evidently the whistle man was growing tired of the cat and mouse game and announced he was parched and needed a refill on his "special" water. I quickly saw this as my escape opportunity to flee, even though I was more terrified to go to the old house and what I would encounter there. My uncle was relieved too, as it let him off the hook to rescue me. I was told the "water" was on the screened porch, and I was instructed to refill his jug. Well, I did not want to let my aunt down, so I swallowed my fear and marched to the old house.
Once inside the back screen door, I was shocked. The floor boards were missing in spots and I could see the ground beneath my feet. There was so much stuff, I didn't know where to look. I didn't know what the special water was, so I didn't know what to look for. I could see out the porch windows, my uncle in the shed, and I was jumping up and down waving my arms frantically to get his attention, careful not to put my foot thru the floorboard. But my attempts were futile. I was on my own, left with this sinking feeling. I couldn't go back out and say I couldn't find it, because that may make the whistle man upset. I was wrestling with the morality of distributing alcohol to a man who clearly had a problem, but I loved my aunt and I told myself, "girl, you can do this!" "She needs her whistles!"
Somehow I found some plastic jugs. None of them marked "special" water by the way. Nor were they marked moonshine, but they smelled funny and I filled his mug and marched back to the shed.
We left with three whistles.
I tell you this story because it is funny. I tell you this story because it is crazy! But there is another reason. A reason that rings true to me today as I look back at this experience. I would do anything, push through anything, rise to the occasion, persevere through difficult situations, and face fear, for the people I love. I did it then, I do it now, and I would do it in the future. What is important to them is important to me. If in any way I can help them or aid them, I will.
So I find myself asking myself, "How far would I go to secure my relationship with Jesus?" Would I give up comfortable? Would I allow myself to be put in situations that threatened my safety and security? Would I give up my cool image and allow myself to be uncomfortable for my belief and trust in Jesus?
Do I care as much about letting Jesus down, as i do about letting people down? Do I care about what Jesus thinks more than I care about what other people think?
Would I give up the known, to venture into territories that make me think, leave me questioning and wrestling with choices? Would I step out in faith, and trust what I have no experience in? Would I openly face my fears and ultimately conquer them for the reward of serving my King?
What about my pride? Would I lay down my self centered focus on myself and what others think of me, to follow what Jesus says about me? Would I give up control to manipulate the outcome that I want, to have the outcome that Jesus desires? Would I risk looking silly or soft, to have a relationship with Jesus?
The whistles that I was so willing to secure for my aunt, were one of a kind, unique, precious beautifully crafted, masterpieces. Like those whistles, my relationship with Jesus is something that can never be duplicated or imitated. It is a one of kind, special, most precious, and masterfully created relationship. There is no greater prize than his love.
I want to be a person who lives on the edge for Jesus. I want to be a person who would do anything and be everything that Jesus calls me to be. Yes, my whistle man story is a funny story, one I will not soon forget. Because it taught me a great lesson. It brought to my attention the great lengths we will go to for the ones we love. If I love Jesus, what great lengths will I go to in securing a right relationship with him? At the end of the day it will not be "just" three whistles I walk away with. It will be all the grace and mercy and blessings that only a life filled with Jesus can offer.