Miracle on the Orient Express (Spiritual Leadership)
In 1943, Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer faced an impossible choice. As Hitler’s regime tightened its grip on Germany, Bonhoeffer had to decide: maintain his comfortable position of religious leadership, or risk everything to save Jewish lives. He chose courage over comfort, joining a plot to assassinate Hitler—a decision that ultimately led to his execution.
The courage depicted in the powerful movie Bonhoeffer reminds me of a time when I too needed God’s courage.
I’m facing a moment of truth. Will I choose comfort and safety, or answer God’s call despite the risks?
This is my story of smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. A journey that taught me the profound truth that I am safest at the center of God’s plan.
It’s a hot summer day in 1980 when I embark on a dangerous mission with the Slavic Gospel Association. My colleague and I must deliver Bibles in Romania—behind the Iron Curtain. As I prepare for the journey, fear is real, but so is the call to action.
Border crossings are particularly stressful. The well-trained guards search for four items:
- Guns and ammunition
- Drugs and any narcotics
- Pornography
- Bibles or “Biblios”
This trip has two high-stakes crossings: the Austrian-Hungarian border, and the Hungarian-Romanian border. It’s always unpredictable how border guards will treat outsiders. This is especially true when they catch them with Bibles. The scenarios play through my mind:
There might be an irritated go-home-silly-idealistic-American-tourist conversation. Or your interrogator might choose a “friendly” conversation to see what you’ll divulge. If you don’t tell them what they want to hear, a “not so friendly” routine might follow. The officials will try to persuade you to spill information about your contacts.
And then there’s the very distinct possibility of prison. Yes, you might find yourself locked up in a Third World prison. If you’re lucky, the American Embassy, or someone, will rescue you.
Reality number four hangs over us like an ominous shadow. Despite the dangers, we accept the odds. I know that I am safest at the center of God’s plan.
We’re about to board the Orient Express. Despite a slight chill in the air, beads of sweat form on my upper lip. My cheeks flush, and I am shaking inside like a leaf. My backpack is so heavy that when I lift it, I am certain the muscles on my back will rip away from the bone.
I can’t help but wonder…will I be the next victim of the tower guards? I shudder at the sight of their M16’s slung over their shoulders. And their companion Doberman dogs are intimidating! What are the chances that my partner and I will reach our destination alive?
I take a deep breath and keep repeating the words in my heart: “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1)
As soon as we enter our train compartment, I feel a sense of foreboding. I acknowledge our traveling companions. A frail grandmother sits alone on one side of the tiny space. She hardly nods at us and immediately looks at her feet again. Opposite her are three important-looking men in tailored, dark-blue suits. I can smell the ominous tension in the air.
The tension mounts as we roll into the Hungarian-Romanian border at 1 AM. Despite trying to stay alert, we must have dozed off. The next moment, a guard bursts into the compartment, waking everyone.
He directs his attention to the elderly grandmother. He orders her to pull her tattered brown suitcase from the overhead compartment. When she pretends to be too weak, he orders one of the important-looking men to assist.
The man lowers the suitcase and sets it on the seat. The guard orders the woman to open it. Fidgeting and struggling, she takes her time to unzip it. From where I sit, I can see what’s inside – electronic parts! Contraband!
I glance out the window. Against the backdrop of a full moon is the ominous sight of a barbed
wire fence and a guard tower. A fierce dog and armed guards complete the intimidating scene.
After staring at the suitcase, the guard steps outside the compartment. He calls his assistant. His voice is angry, though I can’t understand the words. The assistant takes the suitcase and leaves the cabin. The guard roughly grabs the old woman’s arm. He hauls her away without saying a word.
I’m stunned. The sight of the harsh treatment of this frail grandmother shocks me. And the fear that follows is even worse. Will my partner and I be next?
The guard returns, now focusing on the three men. They order them to lower their suitcases. Each suitcase reveals electronic contraband. But in every case, a bottle of high-end liquor sits on top. The guard pockets the bottles without a word and gives a nod of approval. They allow the men to keep their contraband.
My anxiety rises with each inspection. I have no bribe to offer!
All I can do is repeating the words in my mind, over and over again…I’m safest at the center of God’s plan!
The guard finally motions to my partner. He glances at our passports. Then, he points to our bright orange backpacks in the overhead compartment. We’re trying to appear casual with bags stuffed with Bibles, as we set them on the floor. We pretend they are light.
Then comes the dreaded command: “Open the bags!”
Remembering what the grandma did, we take our time untying the knots, hoping for a miracle. The guard grows impatient. I pray harder than ever. I start lifting the flap of my backpack, which will now reveal the Bibles.
The next moment, we hear a shout from the other end of the train: “Help!”
The guard pauses and tells us to stay put. He leaves.
Five minutes pass. Ten. Fifteen.
Then, to my disbelief, the train is moving again. The guard never returns.
A miracle had happened! We made it!
Tears fill my eyes. I’m so relieved and joy floods my heart. I turn toward the window to hide my emotions from the other passengers. I gaze out at the moonlit barbed wire fence. I’m not scared anymore. God’s protection surrounds me like a warm, comforting blanket.
Even today, when I see a full moon, gratitude fills my heart. I’m reminded that God is the God of the Impossible. I can trust Him completely to achieve everything He calls me to do.
Epilogue
The Orient Express is no longer in service. Yet, its history remains. It’s a symbol of resilience and connection between East and West. I know our daring Bible missions made a difference. We played a small part in breaking down barriers and bringing more of God’s light to that part of the world.
Like Bonhoeffer, we faced a choice between comfort and courage. Yes, our circumstances differed vastly. However, the underlying truth remained the same. When God calls us to action, He provides the courage to follow through.
There’s a quote that has guided me through many challenging moments:
“Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” (Ambrose Redmoon)
When I remember this experience, it feels almost surreal—much like the world we live in today. Then I ask, “What does God want me to do? How does He want me to respond to the chaos in our culture?”
But here’s the catch: when God gives clarity, it often pushes us out of our comfort zone. It requires us to be courageous, even when we’re afraid. I remember the profound truth that sustained me on that moonlit night on the Orient Express. I am safest at the center of God’s plan.
Leadership Courage Reflection
What’s so important in your life that it requires profound courage? What’s more important than your fear? Remember, like Bonhoeffer and countless others throughout history, we’re not called to comfort. We are called to be courageous. And in that calling, we find our greatest safety—right at the center of God’s plan.
Leadership Courage Lesson: Step forward with courage, even when you’re scared. Remember that you are safest at the center of God’s plan.
Leadership Courage Question: What is God calling you to do that might scare you?
Let’s discuss a tailor-made interview to meet your audience’s needs.
Virtual speaking event? No problem!
Check out my Speaker page HERE.
To schedule, a call contact me at danita@danitabye.com
No Comments