“Blessed are the flexible, for they will never be bent out of shape.” 

That’s the unofficial but oft-repeated motto of the volunteer teams at our church here in Cape Town. When I first heard it, I laughed at the pun…but I thought of it often in situations when laughter was far from my response. Last-minute changes, misunderstandings, culture clashes…if we weren’t careful, these frustrations could get in the way of seeing fruit –lives changed through an encounter with Jesus.

I wonder if “blessed are the flexible…” could be a motto for all of us global workers. I know I am challenged by it working in local prisons, where the day-to-day uncertainty weeds out many type-A Westerners, and I’m sure many of our ministry placements are similar. And then there are the bigger interruptions – health issues, challenges with our kids, political instability, financial lack, needing to care for relatives in our passport country, a global pandemic.

When we face seasons of interruptions and obstacles, it’s easy to doubt ourselves. The metrics we used to evaluate ourselves with are coming up short. What do we write home about? What stories do we have to share? Is our supporters’ investment in us even worth it? What are we doing here anyway?

The beatitudes of Jesus, the real “blessed are the…” statements, give us hope.

Our blessing comes from our character transformed by the Holy Spirit, not our accomplishments. 

We are blessed even when it looks like everything is falling apart.

The fruit we’re working for might not come in this life, but it is certain in eternity.

If we have the courage to be flexible—to let go of control and certainty—we can keep our eyes on the only thing that does not change.