Paying the Price in the Department of Motor Vehicles

Today, I am spending my morning in the offices of the Costa Rican equivalent of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Once again, it is time to renew my driver’s license.

Well, that is not completely true.

It was time to renew my license in March. June was “way past time” according to the gentleman at the first desk I approached. So, he politely, but firmly, added a 5,000 colon fine to my driver’s license fee. I did not argue the legal technicalities.

Since the process to renew my license can require several hours of waiting in four separate lines, it provides a unique opportunity to reflect on life and what I am doing with my own. The fact that Susan and I are celebrating 31 years of marriage today probably adds to my reflective nature.

Marriage has a way of encouraging personal reflection, doesn’t it guys?

Not long ago, someone asked me why I had “given up my life” to be a missionary. I found that to be an interesting question. One that certainly deserved some contemplation… at least, it seemed like it deserved thought while waiting to have my photo taken for my new license.

I believe what was really behind this person’s question is the growing lack of understanding in society, as a whole, of people giving their lives for any purpose that does not involve personal gain. How are you going to benefit? What is the bottom line? These types of questions do not combine well with the missionary lifestyle.

It seems like anyone willing to give their life for a cause is suspect. He or she must be a radical, a religious fanatic or worse. The idea that some causes are worth our lives seems to belong to a simpler, far-off time. Either that or the idea of giving your life for a cause has become the sole prerogative of Muslim radicals.

Thinking of simpler times took me back to the classic story of Mucius, a Roman patriot.Unfortunately, Mucius is almost forgotten today. It could be because his name sounds too much like mucus to seriously inspire the imagination of Jr. High boys. Or, it could be because his type of dedication and willingness to sell his life for the cause is simply out of date.

When Porsena, the Etruscan king was laying siege to the upstart city of Rome, one of the roman youth named Mucius snuck out of the city and made his way into Porsena’s camp. While looking on from the sidelines, Mucius saw an important-looking person surrounded by officers and giving orders. Drawing his conclusions and dagger, Mucius ran to the gentleman and buried his weapon in the stomach of what Mucius took to be the king.

Unfortunately, for both he and the victim, Mucius had killed the king’s personal secretary. For his punishment, King Porsena sentenced young Mucius to be burned to death.

Before the soldiers could carry out the sentence, the boy made this statement to the king: “I came to kill you and failed. You may execute me for that. I will not weep at the honor of laying down my life for my city.” As he continued, he stuck his hand into the nearby flames and shouted, “Do not rejoice, but see the determination of a Roman. For after me will come another, and another, and another.” While he made this impressive statement his hand burned in the flames. According to tradition, Mucius didn’t flinch or otherwise respond to the pain.

King Porsena was absolutely stunned by this young man’s virtue, dedication and manly courage. In fact, he was so impressed that he ordered the soldiers to set Mucius free.

As you can imagine, Mucius’ hand was useless from that day on. Because of that, the men of Rome gave him the nickname of Scaevola, or “Lefty”. It seems that Mucius bore his new name with a certain pride and it commanded respect for years to come.

Men (and boys) like Mucius are hard to find these days. They were men who embraced the risk of the moment because they were dispensable; the cause was not. They believed that some causes are worth the ultimate sacrifice.

Well, having paid the sacrifice of waiting in line, I now have my new license in hand. Once again, my photo makes me think that I may be deader than King Porsena’s secretary. It is time to get back to San Isidro and take my lovely bride out to eat.