Guided thoughts, no. 15

Have you recently planned on a trip away from home? Was it for business, or for pleasure? A lengthy journey, or a quick trip?

Probably all of us have done this. How do we usually prepare? Are you a list-maker? Do you just keep mental notes and hope you get it all done?

There's so much to be done!
First, we must choose where we are going -- many miles away, or just a few? What do we hope to accomplish? Is this trip for fun? For excitement? For relaxation? For learning?

Once we know the why and the where, we can choose the "how." Will we need tickets for train or airplane travel? Will we use our vehicle or rent one? Many of us will juggle these to decide what is the most cost-effective way to travel to our chosen destination, and then to travel home again.

Now we must consider that home. Will everything we leave behind be safe? We need to make arrangements for pets -- will they board somewhere, or will someone come and care for them? Will the lights be programmed to give the illusion that someone is home?

Lastly, what will we take with us on our trip? We must consider where we are going, and what activities we will participate in -- warm clothing or cool, fancy or casual. And let's not forget to pack all of our daily toiletries and medicines!

Oy vey.
Can we just stay home? (Grin)

Dear Christian friends, do we put as much thought and energy into our life journey as we do into our earthly trips?

First of all, just as on our earthly trips, we need to know where we are going:

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:14

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Next, what is the purpose of our trip? Why are we making this journey?

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; Philippians 1:23

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Yes, to be with our Lord, Who died in our place because of His mercy and great love for us! Now, how do we prepare?

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) 

Lastly, what shall we pack? What will we take with us? (Trick question, right?)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (I Timothy 6:17-19)

Now we can make our plans! For the most important journey ever -- the journey that takes place step by step, each day, as the Spirit sanctifies us and prepares us to live with Him!
Forever!