Boston

Unfortunately, I could not enjoy Boston as preferred because of the stressors I experienced before leaving the country. Months ago, I looked for the cheapest one-way exit from America and entry into Europe to start my travels. The cheapest flight was $195 from Boston to London, so I figured I’d visit Boston for two days! Upon arrival, I picked up my passport with my Chinese visa from a Marriott Hotel (long story) and spent the night at my UF friend’s apartment in Cambridge. I spent most of my morning and afternoon working on Wahi and then explored MIT campus and historic downtown. My two favorite routes to walk were Mass Ave and, of course, Freedom Trail. Freedom Trail passes through significant historical spots in Boston, which are important to the foundation of the US. Before arriving to the airport to catch my 11pm flight, I purchased a Yoga laptop from Best Buy (got 50% off!!) and shipped my old laptop back home. I hope to visit again with more time to absorb downtown Boston and Cambridge!

Duration

2 days

Accommodation

My friend’s apartment (2 nights)

Favorite Food

Street hot dog

Favorite Site

MIT Campus

Cool Person I Met

Josh. I met Josh in the MIT student union after overhearing him mention Bible to some of his friends. I came downstairs to introduce myself and joined their Bible study. We talked about Jesus’ parable of the rich fool and how wealth can be a positive or negative thing in the Kingdom. Josh is finishing his degree in industrial engineering and wants to build sustainable organizations helping the poor in the Caribbean.

Highlight

Bible study at MIT

Big Takeaway

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding … Be still and know He is God” (Proverbs 3:5 & Psalms 46:10). These verses came to mind when describing my week leading up to departing the country. It’s crazy how so many things can suddenly go wrong before an important life event. My phone was taken, laptop crashed, passport headaches, lost my jacket, had a stomach bug, and had some relational difficulties before leaving Boston. Although I acknowledge God is over all things, I believe there are things which happen coincidently and other things which occur because of a supernatural intentionality. In my case, maybe losing my jacket and having a stomach bug was coincidence because that’s just how life flows. Though an evil spirit or even God could have upset the natural flow of life by intervening to delay my passport visa or crash my laptop.

I have no idea what the cause is for these things. I just want to recognize that not every circumstance is given to chance and not everything is given to divine intervention. However, the Christian knows that “all things work together for good, for those who LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Regardless of the cause for these circumstances, every person is responsible for properly responding! We need to respond in a trusting and peaceful manner. In my case, I trusted that the minor hiccups would be resolved because I felt absolute assurance that I’m supposed to go on this four-month trip. God knows that having a passport and even a phone and laptop are important abroad, so I shouldn’t be attached too strongly to material things because I trust God understands and he will provide.

I think of the story when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac because God had instructed him to. Abraham knew that his son was chosen to father the nation of Israel… what would’ve happened if Isaac actually had been killed? Maybe God would have resurrected Isaac and said well-done Abraham for following me. I don’t know! We do know that God halted Abraham before delivering a fatal blow. God was pleased with the great obedience and trust Abraham demonstrated.  Therefore, in any situation when things seem crazy prior to a very important moment or life transition, absolutely trust that God understands and that He is faithful to provide in His timing.

Your Turn

Have you had random and/or difficult stressors occur before a very important event in your life before? Please share.

Do you think most things in life are a coincidence or a divine intervention?