Slipping the rain parkas over our heads, the tour guide gave us a few last-minute instructions. Our four kids wiggled and giggled as they clung to their grandparents who they hadn’t seen for several years.

Thick trees lined the side of the trail as baboons wahooed in the distance. A thin mist sprayed us as we approached the bridge and saw Victoria Falls thundering and smoking. It took our breath away.

We continued on the trail until a black cobra slithered right across our path. We froze.

The snake seemed oblivious to us, probably only by God’s protection, but we raced to tell our tour guide who said, “Leave it alone. It is protected since it is in the national park.”

What? I couldn’t believe it. A poisonous snake protected only by its location.

As global workers, we may feel insecure as we travel halfway around the world and encounter life-threatening situations.

John 10 tells us that our heavenly Father is our good Shepherd.

A good shepherd knows each sheep by name, and the sheep recognize his voice because he continually talks to them. He leads them to still water because the sheep will not drink from rushing water.

At night, he lies in front of the gate to keep predators out unlike the hired hand who runs away when danger comes. If a sheep wanders off, the shepherd brakes (ties a weight on the leg) to teach it.

As God’s children, we are His sheep no matter our address. It doesn’t mean that we won’t face trouble, but when we do, we are secure in His hands in this life and the next.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

May we take comfort in this truth that no one can pluck us out of our Shepherd’s hand. And as we travel, may we never encounter a poisonous snake protected only by its location.