Preparing For Your Next Trip
Most of us have had opportunities periodically to take a trip with our friends or family. For some, it may have been a yearly event, for others, only an occasional trip could be scheduled. It included travel, making sure of the arrangements at our destination, and being sure that we were prepared for that destination. We left behind our homes, yards, and possessions to the care of others. We also made arrangements for the care and well being of those we left behind. There was a sense of anticipation, perhaps wonder, or even uncertainty about the location to which we were traveling. What would the accommodations be like? Did we do everything necessary for the trip? What would we do when we arrive? Who will we have meet us and join us on our adventure?
The above questions and others occupied my mind the last few weeks of spring last year. I was planning to leave for Africa, to spend seven days in Kenya, and four more days in Ethiopia. Much work was necessary to make sure that the passports and visas were ready. The World Health Organization stated that both countries were endemic for malaria. Yellow fever was a risk as well. Provisions needed to be made for medication to prevent malaria and immunizations were required in order to prevent Yellow Fever. Long shirts and trousers needed to be worn for sun protection as well as for mosquito protection. Care needed to be taken regarding what you ate, and the source of water you drank. Only bottled water was to be used to brush you teeth. In addition, the awareness of local customs and mannerisms that are acceptable in these countries was important. Delays in travel, inconveniences and occasional cancellations were to be expected. Preparation for the trip would also require leaving the house, yard, and other possessions in the hands of others who would take care of them. Most challenging is leaving the relatives and other close friends with whom I regularly visit and have had fellowship with. With some, I have needed to leave instructions and guidance for the tasks they were to assume in my absence.
Whether your next trip is soon, or next year, these are the familiar matters which we all need to consider before taking that trip. Although we may not know the destination of the next trip which we plan, we do know the destination of one trip that we all will take. This trip is certain for all of us. It may be totally unexpected. It occurs to the young and to the old alike, to those who knew it was coming soon, and to others who had no idea that they would be on this trip. Some will be prepared for that trip and others unprepared. By now, you have correctly identified the trip I am addressing! It is the one which we all take when we are called into the presence of the Almighty God.
The preparation for the trip into the presence of the Lord , in some respects, is not unlike other trips we have taken during our lifetime. To be admitted into Kenya, a valid passport and visa are required. To be admitted into the heavenly kingdom, advance preparation must also be made. The scriptures are given to us that we may be certain about the preparation required. It is amply given us in many sites, but I will refer only to the reference in Romans 10:9-10. “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” With this statement, we are confident that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient to pay for our sins, and that we accept Him as the Lord of our lives.
The preparations that are necessary for our arrival in our eternal kingdom, however, go well beyond the above entrance requirements! We find reference to the needed preparation in many locations. One of these is found in I Corinthians 3:10-15. “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” This scripture relates that although there is admission to the Kingdom, there is no reward. He has spent his life for worldly pursuits. All that he accomplished was for his own agenda and was burned up by the fire. He escapes as one who has passed through the flames. He is wearing only scorched clothes! Everything he owned was burned up. Imagine a scenario in which all my luggage and carry on bags were lost en route to Africa and were never found. My wallet was also missing and all that I have is the clothes I am wearing. There is no shaver, no tooth brush, jacket, hat, or change of clothes. Extrapolate that picture into eternity and you will find a picture of the person who has not prepared for their eternal trip by investing their lives in God’s purposes for their life.
When our group arrived in Kenya, and later in Ethiopia, we were greeted warmly, and taken to our living arrangements where we later spent days visiting with the staff and friends we had made in Africa. Scripture tells us that we are given the opportunity of preparing the size of our welcoming committee to our heavenly home! “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:11)
As someone once remarked, “We only keep that which we give away.” Our ministry and help given to others during our lifetime will have made a difference in their lives here on earth. Many will be given a chance to hear the gospel and trust in Christ through our labor, our gifts, and our prayers for them. The Lord will have used these investments in others to not only bring them into His kingdom, but to also allow us experience their joy with them.
Preparation for this trip also requires the preparation of those whom we leave in charge of our possessions. For most of us, this is our children and grandchildren. Instruction is given to us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 regarding this task. “These commandment that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” Our preparation should be as dedicated to the task as was that of the Psalmist. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18. Knowledge of the Lord is always one generation away from what is written in Judges 2:10. “…another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for them.”
The trip which I describe above is certain for each one of us. Its timing, however, is uncertain. It may be another 20-30 years, 10 for others, and perhaps tomorrow for some. It is in a place beyond description, prepared as our eternal designation. In my experience, the longer that I am on a trip, the more preparation is required. That is true of this one as well. May the Lord use your life for His glory so that you will celebrate His reward, receive a rich welcome and are confident in the preparation of those you have left (temporarily) behind.
In Christ, Richard Spann