“You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do….. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” — Psalm 139:3,5
Our team, 17 of us from Salt Lake City and seven from Colorado, embarked on this past Thursday afternoon. A five-hour delay in Salt Lake caused us to miss our connection in Paris. We heard the news on the 10-hour flight across the Atlantic that our team would have to be split up. One group went from Paris to Vienna, another from Paris to Frankfurt. After factoring in customs and even longer layovers, it was hard not to feel disheartened.
The pending celebration of Easter, however, was a good reminder that God is always in control. He, in fact, sent an “advocate” for us as it explains in John 15. Perhaps the travel day was tumultuous because He was protecting us from something. Maybe He was strengthening us with the reminder that His presence was enough. Maybe a little of both. Either way, we fell into bed nearly twelve hours after we were scheduled to land in Croatia.
(One interesting note. Our transportation was provided by a local, Christian couple’s driving service that we met last year during this trip. Because they were Believers, they were incredibly flexible, gracious, and understanding of our travel woes. The body of Christ is truly incredible!)
The next few days were spent acclimating to the time change, exploring the local sights (and food!) of beautiful Rovinj, Croatia, bonding as a team, and celebrating Easter. It was a refreshing and meaningful time.
Holy Spirit Guidance
This Easter, with our extended travel day behind us, I was reminded of John 15. As Jesus discusses with His disciples many difficult truths regarding the world and His own death, He also promises the Holy Spirit. He proclaims, “It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away, the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16: 7). He continues explaining that “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth” (John 16:12). As our team read and discussed the Easter story, it was a stark reminder that God’s presence in the flesh made way for His presence in Spirit. That presence – the Holy Spirit – is the same way we experience God’s presence today.
In a silly way, the fact that our travel day was not what we planned, forced us to remember the presence of the Spirit of Truth. He goes before us and behind us, as Psalm 139 states. What’s more, that Spirit places His “hand of blessing” on our head. Of course, there is a mystery surrounding the presence of the Holy Spirit before the Resurrection. But Easter ushered in the way we, as the collective children of God, experience and are guided by the Holy Spirit. That reminder offered incredible encouragement as our flight plans were delayed and rerouted, just as much as when we looked out over the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. It is also His presence that leads us on as we prepare for this mission trip.
Please pray that we would walk in the Spirit, and serve well on this mission trip.
Kim