Faith Words: The Trip

In just over 42 days, John and I will once again travel to Virginia for a fall get-away.  We didn't get to go to Virginia last year, so we're extra excited about going this year. We've each set countdown clocks on our iPhones and fairly frequently, we check them to see how much closer it is to the time we depart.

Those of you who know me won't be surprised to find out that I've had most of the details of this trip planned for months.  Airline tickets have been purchased.  Rental car reserved.  Hotel reservations are in place.  Even dinner reservations made at some of our favorite restaurants.

One of the places we're staying is a little cabin high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia - a beautiful spot. There's a website for this cabin where I made our reservations and it details what we can expect when we arrive.  When we get discouraged or worn out, we open that site and read the poetic description of this lovely, quiet place we long to visit.  No cell service, no internet, a front porch with rocking chairs, the sound of the river nearby, and on and on it goes.

After reading and sharing our vacation dreams with each other, we come away almost as refreshed as we will be when we actually make our trip.  You see, for just those few moments, we're carried to that peaceful cabin and the rest we yearn for and by reminding each other of what's to come, we help each other do the daily tasks and keep the personal goals we've made that will make this memorable trip possible.

Our Christian lives are much the same.  We have a destination in mind.  We've made plans to go and now we wait till the appointed day.  What can we, should we do till then?

The Hebrews writer knows how easily day-to-day life can drag us down, throw us off course, wear us out, till we've all but forgotten what our plans are, where we're headed. How can I keep my focus, even when the world and its troubles and distractions keep screaming in my ear?

When you get discouraged, remind yourself of the hope you have of heaven.  When you're heart is breaking with the pain and sadness you feel, remember Jesus's promise of eternal life.  When you get so tired that you're not sure you can keep going, think of the place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.

But you're not the only one who loses hope from time to time, who gets so discouraged that it seems easier to quit.  We're not going on this trip alone.  Look around you and see who's travelling with you.  Encourage each other. Lift each other up.  Come together with your fellow travelers, with other believers and talk of Home,  Talk about the joys to come and think of ways to get ready, packing up love and good deeds.

When the day gets long and hard, John will softly say, "Annie's Cabin" and suddenly, I'm there, transported to a place I've never been before.  The daily grind becomes bearable because I know respite is coming.  Should I do any less for you, dear sister, as we get closer to the Day?

Keep an eye on that countdown clock and make sure you and your fellow travelers are ready because this is the trip of a lifetime!

Get ready!

Patrice

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.