Travel Plans?

I was thinking about my daughter and her plans to travel home this summer. It reminded me of our many trips across the ocean over the years. When we want to get somewhere we jump through all the necessary hoops to make arrangements.

Researching transportation options,

Making (and paying for) reservations,

Getting required paperwork in order (tickets, visas, passports, photo id, shots, etc….)

Following the rules - Of our country, the transportation company, and the host country…

Packing only permissible quantities of non-restricted items, within allotted weight limit,

Arriving at the departure point hours prior to departure,
Waiting in lines,
Dealing with delays and schedule changes (more waiting),
Going through security checks – pat downs and scanners,
Sitting in cramped, uncomfortable quarters for long periods of time with restricted movement and no fresh air, unable to change our mind or our course once onboard, then totally committed to someone else (strangers, even) to get us safely where we want to go.
Over and over, year after year, we do whatever is necessary so that we can arrive at the destinations we long for. 

Yet for many, when it comes to the destination called “Heaven” suddenly the Way becomes burdensome.
We want to go, but on our own terms, in our own time, by our own means.
We think it unfair that there is a required route to get to the Father’s House. 
We think there are many ways to get to God – just pick which way you like.
We think that whatever we decide, whenever we decide it, however we want to get there should be acceptable enough. 
We think the road should be easy and comfortable.
We think the Bible way is too restrictive and too narrow.
We try to make our own rules.
We refuse to commit to THE ONE who can safely get us to the destination, THE ONE who is the Way.

Funny how we take such pains in the physical realm but live in denial when it comes to spiritual matters.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

Paul writes, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:4-6) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

There will be lots of traveling this summer.

And as you pack for vacation, think about that final destination.

Happy Travels.

Much love,

Ruth

Here’s a song to bless your day. It’s called “Goin’ Home”  https://youtu.be/oC17gMFnw7s