What is our reaction when our plans get disrupted? We have one picture in our mind of how things will go, but that’s not even close to what ends up happening. That happened for us as we set out on our Young Life Expedition trip to Machu Picchu. This epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip was something we’d looked forward to for years, but it was quickly met with disruption at every turn, and reminded us our plans are not our own.
The trip was full of disruption from the start. Our car was all packed up, kids off to grandparents, house all straightened up for the house sitter, and the out-of-office setting was already on our inboxes. We were about 20 minutes from walking out the door to head to the airport, only to get a nonchalant text from the airline that they had canceled our first of three flights to get us to Cusco, Peru. That set off a chain reaction of travel communication to try to rebook, but not without stealing a day of our trip.
This could have ruined our whole mood, but then we realized we were gifted the gift of time! It’s a little strange to suddenly have no where to go, nothing to do, and everyone thinks you’re gone. We walked around town feeling anonymous in our own town! We also snuck in a fun bonus hike with our dogs and relived the days before kids! It ended up being a huge blessing of a day.
Once on our way 24 hours later, we thought we were smooth sailing. However, once we landed in Lima, we met another moment of disruption! The domestic customs line was much quicker than all of us tourists going through customs. So, by the time we reached the baggage carousel, we quickly discovered that only two of our three suitcases had made it to Peru! Maybe you’re like me and you’ve stood by those baggage claim conveyor belts and thought “anyone could just walk off with any bag they wanted right now.” If you’ve ever had that thought, I’m here to tell you that’s what happened to our bag.
A local Peruvian woman took our suitcase, thinking it was her own, and it had its own adventure somewhere in Peru while we went and trekked through the Andes, saw Machu Picchu, and arrived back into town. All week we figured the bag was gone forever, only to have it arrive less than 24 hours before we flew back home to the United States.
As we got to know our team on the trip, and learn about ministry in the Amazon Region from the local staff, the travel disruptions quickly became living metaphors of what we all experience day in and day out. These minor travel inconveniences were in-your-face reminders that things happen regularly that are out of our control and these often turn us in completely new directions… often beautiful directions!
We have expectations of what our ministry will look like.
We have expectations of what our family life will look like.
We have a picture of how our career will pan out.
We have dreams and ideas that we make.
But these aren’t always God’s plan. Sometimes we experience moments of disruption that turn us in a different direction. And when we experience these, they give us the opportunity to experience things we never even considered.
Proverbs 19:21-23 New International Version (NIV)
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Jesus often taught in moments of interruption. In today’s world that often feels like disruption.
Wherever we are today, whether in direct ministry or otherwise, may we be reminded to notice the disruptions and where those are pointing us instead. Are there opportunities to experience something greater in our faith than we originally thought possible? Where is God working within the moments of disruption? And will we be faithful to trust that He has a bigger plan for us than we ever imagined possible?
What’s been a time where you were disrupted?
How did you see God working in that disruption?
How did you experience God in a space of being out of your comfort zone?
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Wanting to join us on a trip like Machu Picchu? Check out our trips for the upcoming year!
Written by Valerie Morris