PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

March 4, 2025

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

                Next February Diane and I are planning on taking a ten day tour of the Holy Lands with Educational Opportunity (EO).  We are also looking at possible extensions to either Egypt or Jordan.  Several persons whom we have invited to join us have expressed concerns about the present conditions in the Middle East, especially the relationship between Israel and Iran.

James Ridgway, President of EO, has prepared a fourteen minute video to address this concern.  Ridgway begins by noting that there has never been a time of relative peace when EO has had tour groups.  They have been there during two Gulf wars, a wave of terrorism in the 90’s, two Intifadas, 9/11, wars with Lebanon and Gaza, the Arab spring, and the Egyptian revolution.  Through it all EO has never had one pilgrim harmed.

In the past EO has been attuned to what was taking place in the Middle East and developed contingency plans as they were needed.  However, Ridgway in his video points out things never turned out the way that they had been anticipated.  Never-the-less EO was always able to respond appropriately to whatever happened.

Ridgway concludes by saying that EO is going to proceed as if all of their planned trips will go off without a hitch.  However, if something should happen, they believe from past experiences they will be able to make the proper adjustments.  They will not let a fear of the unknown rob possible pilgrims of the opportunity for a once in a lifetime visit to the Holy Lands.

Making plans is an important part of any business, organization, family unit, or just an individual person’s life.  Sometimes, like EO designing future trips, the planning has to take into account potential difficulties which might have severe consequences for what is being purposed.  At such times there is the great temptation to just give up the project.  EO’s reaction to the present relations between Israel and Iran gives clues as to how one might proceed when caught in a similar situation where the temptation is to throw up one’s arms and quit.

First, EO is clear about their mission to provide quality Christian travel programs at an affordable price.  For any such trip one of their prime concerns is the safety and comfort of the traveler.

Second, since 1974 more than 350,000 persons have traveled successfully with EO, sometimes during difficult times.   Past experience has helped EO to develop the ability to keep current with what is happening on the ground and to make necessary adjustments when needed.

Thus, EO can make definite plans for the future as long as they keep their mission in mind and remember that past experience has well equipped them to deal with any contingency that might arise for one of their planned trips.  As in the past they have been able to make the appropriate adjustments so in the future they will be able to do likewise when something unexpected is surely to arise.

When Joshua took over leadership of the Hebrew people following the death of Moses, he was faced with the daunting task of conquering the Promised Land.  He might have been tempted to just give it up as a lost cause.  However, he was clear about the mission and knew that God had seen his people through forty years in the wilderness so there was no reason to believe that He would not be with them as they moved across the Jordan.

When we are called to make plans for a very uncertain future, we can be like EO and Joshua and have the courage to proceed if we keep our goal in mind and remember all the times in the past when we have been able to cope with difficult situations.

(This article was originally published March 4, 2012.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)