~ Crossings ~

I stood on the river bank watching the muddy water toss great logs like so much sawdust, remembering how just a few weeks ago, I had stood on the opposite shore dreading the crossing. It was not the physical crossing of the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos that I feared - especially since the trip was made by plane. It was what the crossing signified.

Initially, there was the ideological crossing from capitalist to communist society, part of which meant going from a society where consumer goods were abundant to one where even the most essential items were scarce or unavailable. Would I remember to take the right things with me? What if my daughters got sick? Would I think to include all the medicines we might need?

I would also be making a spiritual crossing from the warm Christian fellowship of church and friends. In Laos I could have little open fellowship with national believers and would find few English-speaking Christians.

Finally, there was the emotional crossing of leaving the familiar - friends, activities, home - to face the unknown. Would the girls find friends? How would they occupy their time? Could we be content in two gloomy hotel rooms?

BUT as I read the passage from Deuteronomy (noted below) about God going across ahead of us, He gently reassured me that He would cross all my rivers ahead of me and be with me on the opposite shore.

Life is full of crossings! As you face your next one, remember that "the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you."

"BE assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire" (DEUTERONOMY 9:3a).

J. Andrianoff