Modern Day Shipwreck

So this is not the way I anticipated re-entering the blogosphere but I'm in London, exhausted, stuck, and in need of prayers. Its been a long day since I left Virginia. I had a mishap with leaving my carry on somewhere on the platform in transit to the terminal which I didn't realize for about 15 minutes. Frantically, I ran through Dulles Airport in search of anyone that cared enough to help me in my state of panic. I found no one, but eventually found my way back to TSA and a gentleman there was aware of a bag that had been turned in. A few anxious moments and my bag appeared just as I had accidentally left it. Profusely apologizing for doing the one worst thing I could have done in an airport, the man made light of the situation saying they were just about to torch it outside! It made me smile and calmed my nerves a bit and I was headed back, this time baggage in tow, to the terminal. I made a few last goodbye phone calls and prepared to board the plane. I had an open seat next to me, which was a blessing, and a very warm older man and his wife who were preparing to visit Prague and Venice. We chatted a bit and I got share Harvest India and my experience with being called to life on mission in India. He was very interested and asked some great questions. Two small children in the row in front of me cried and screamed the intire flight and while it didn't bother me to bad with headphones and earplugs it did keep me awake the entire flight and so I got no rest on the red eye flight to London.

I arrived at Heathrow at 10:20am and I had a four hour layover. I read a bit, grabbed a bite to eat and walked around the airport. With minutes until BA released the gate of my flight to Hyderabad I sat down and waited for further direction from the screens above. That was at 1:25p. The next thing I knew I was looking at the inside of my exhausted eyelids and when they re-opened the clock said 2:20pm, just five minutes after my flights final boarding call. I rushed to the counter to see if there was anyway they could hold the plane but even I couldn't charm myself out of this one. In utter frustration, confusion and on the brink of tears I walked away from the counter and collapsed to my knees. "God come on! Don't you want me in India" The words hurt to even speak. Of course God wanted me in India. He's already made that perfectly clear. I spent the last few weeks of my time in California wrapping my mind around my explanation of hard times in view of God's will. I've had this overwhelmingly, rather peaceful, feeling that this time India wasn't going to be easy. Not because God doesn't love blessing His children but because the world has fallen and what I've set out to do goes against the pattern of our world. And so, here I am! In the middle of this beautiful airport, uncertain of why my trip will end up taking nearly twice as long to travel at a significantly higher cost for missing a major leg of my flight and I'm hearing God's still small voice reminding me:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:10

Reminding me that He is and always will be in control. All I need do is rest in Him and He will guide me along his perfect path. Flight or no flight, though ease or hardships He's worthy and somehow I'm right where I'm supposed to be!

Learning,
John