But then I met and married my awesome wife who loves to jet off to destinations unknown. While my idea of a vacation was driving to Florida, her’s was going to Russia. Seriously, she’s been to Russia, and she displayed her love of travel from the very beginning as she made all of our honeymoon arrangements and took us to Fiji. The only time I’ve ever traveled that far was on military business, so the travel arrangements were a bit different.
The past 10 years of being with this well-traveled woman has instilled the same love for going to new places in distant lands. Last year we flew to Europe and spent two weeks traveling the Greek islands, Turkey, and Italy. I loved it and remember being very excited about going to the airport to start our journey.
So why am I so nervous today? I’m boarding a plane to travel to Ireland where I get to stay for almost three months. I should be jumping up and down because I love to travel! But over the past few days I’ve been pensive, even scared with thoughts of planes not arriving safely and being separated from my family.
This morning as I wait to go to the airport I’ve been more nervous than I’ve ever been about traveling. I can’t eat, I’m pacing, I’m restless and agitated. I don’t want to go.
And then it hit me… the reason I’ve been so out of sorts is because of the nature of the trip. I’m going to Ireland to tell people about Jesus.
Whether you want to believe it or not, the enemy has a very real presence in this world. He doesn’t just run around making tragedies happen, he also has the power to effect you personally. That’s right, he can push your emotional buttons and effect your moods.
A good example of this is looking at what happens in your life just before you go to church. Some of the best fights I’ve ever had with my wife have been on the way to church. That’s because the enemy doesn’t want us to go there. He knows we’ll be fed by the Word of God so he puts up obstacles to stop it. Think about that the next time something happens to steer you away from a Christian event, and don’t give in to it.
The evil in this world doesn’t want people to hear the redeeming message of Jesus, and right now they’re working overtime to push my emotional buttons to keep me from going to Ireland by instilling fear and doubt in my mind.
It won’t work.
Just identifying why I’ve been so nervous the past few days has helped to push those feelings aside this morning. I’m stepping forward to extend the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the enemy will not stand in my way.
Pray for me, my friends, and I’ll do my best to keep you informed of my adventures overseas.
In God’s space –
Bret L
