Africa Trip Update

In just three days I will be leaving on our 17 day trip to the Central African Republic. Someone recently asked me if I was anxious about the trip. Initially I took the high spiritual road and said, "No, not really!" But after a few moments, I came back with, "Well, I must admit I have had a few anxious moments." Anytime I leave the borders of the U.S. in travel, I feel some anxiety. After all, I am an American. I was born and raised here. Never lived (except for brief times of travel) outside of the U.S. So whenever I spend time outside the U.S., I am in different culture. That means people think about things differently, relate differently, eat a lot of different things, speak a different language, etc. What is unacceptable here at home may be perfectly acceptable there ... and what is acceptable here in the States, may be taboo in the other culture. SOOO ... to say that when I travel to another land I feel a bit out of my comfort zone would be accurate. And traveling to the Central African Republic may very well push me further out of my comfort zone than I have ever been before!

So as I reflect on that, yes, I feel some anxiety. And I was feeling some this morning - until, that is, I opened my Bible to do my daily reading in the Psalms. And the first psalm I saw was Psalm 121. You talk about an "anxiety busting psalm!" Psalm 121 is indeed that! Read for yourself and if you are feeling anxious about whatever ... allow the truth about God and his care for us to push that anxiety out of your mind and heart!

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? ² My help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth. ³ He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thank you LORD! And thanks for stopping by . . .

pj