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"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
(Isaiah 55:8-9)
Missiologist Dr. Keith Eitel said with regard to those going on mission trips: "Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape." Very true. There will always be times when things do not go according to your plans. It seems that this happens especially on short term mission trips. But instead of being rigid and inflexible, it is much better if we can adopt the mentality that we are going to follow the Lord no matter what.
In November 2025, our mission team of five was excited to go and serve Jesus in South Asia. We were rerouted by the agent at the airlines to go through Newark, New Jersey. We had to spend the night at a hotel because of the change in flight plans. But when we tried to check in the next day, the agent informed us that all were able to board the flight except me. She said, "Whenever I scan your passport, your wife's picture appears on the screen; therefore, with this problem we cannot allow you to go." Our team went on without me, as I stayed in NJ one more day. Even though I ended up missing one half of the trip, I was grateful for the five days I was able to go and serve.
While my team went on without me, I stood there dazed by what had just transpired. A gentleman who worked for the airlines approached me and said, "Sir, I must ask you, why are you not angry and cursing?" He had been watching me during this trying ordeal. I responded, "I assure you, the reason is that Jesus Christ lives in my heart, and He is the One giving me the power not to say or do something I should not." The man smiled, and then I shared with him that since he had asked, I will go ahead and tell him how he too could have a relationship with God through Christ! The Lord blessed our conversation.
A similar thing happened to me on Monday last week at the Austin airport while standing in the customer service line to hopefully find another flight to Miami. The lady behind me asked why I was not able to get on my flight. I shared that the flight had been canceled. I asked about her trip, and she said her plans were to go to Portugal for a month and hike. As I was standing in the line speaking with her, I got the message from my admin that she and her travel agent had worked hard to get me to Miami, but it would simply not be possible. I knew at that time I was not going on this mission trip. But before I left the waiting line, I asked the lady I had been speaking to if she had any religious background, and she responded that she was Catholic. I asked her if she had ever heard of the 3 Crosses. She replied that she had not. I shared the Gospel with her, and she was receptive to the message, praise God!
God has taught me over the years to slow down and not panic when things do not go according to my plans. We should not view interruptions as inconveniences but as opportunities to follow Jesus in a new assignment. I encourage you the next time your plans go off the rails, pause, pray, and then look for the person God wants you to share Jesus with.
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