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Blessed Are the Flexible

I’ve spent a good bit of time in the Middle East – traveling around Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Turkey.

I’ve traveled with, in my humble opinion, many of the best teachers, best guides, and best drivers in the world.


They know what they’re doing. They have flights and hotels booked. They have sites scheduled out. They have a full itinerary planned.


But inevitably things go wrong.


Flash floods wash out a highway. A herd of sheep blocks the road and delays our departure or arrival. A site is closed when it was scheduled to be open.


You might think I’m joking, but I’m not. I’ve experienced every one of these scenarios and more.


As a Jordanian guide of mine once said, “If it doesn’t make sense, you’re in the Middle East.”


But the organization I’ve so often traveled with has a saying that puts it all in perspective.


“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall be bent but not broken.”


That’s more than a principle for travel.


That’s a principle for life.


Flash flood will wash out the highways. Herds of sheep will keep you from coming and going. Sites will be closed when you’re hoping to visit.


Metaphorically, of course. (But also, literally if you plan to visit the Middle East.)


Here’s the point.


Blessed are the flexible, for they shall be bent but not broken.


What if we lived our lives with that perspective?


What if we resolved to be flexible – confident that we could be bent but, by the grace of God, not broken?

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