“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-6
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are sojourners. We are on a journey and the destination is eternity where Jesus is. We know this because Jesus told us so. And His words are faithful and trustworthy.
Here are 7 points to consider, remember and find encouragement for our journey
1. Know your destination. We are headed somewhere. Our journey is not aimless. Our destination is heaven.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20
We are headed to the place Jesus has gone ahead to prepare for us. It is specific and not subject to change along the way. We should not get distracted by false prophets who say they know a faster way to get God’s blessings, apart from the Bible. Stay the course! Do not move from it or look to the left or the right.
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25
Give careful thought to the paths for your and be steadfast in all your ways Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:26-27
2. Get on the right road! Now that your destination is known and set, get on the correct road to it. You drive North and expect to end up East. You have to get onto the right road, which is Salvation through Jesus Christ. Are you all on the right road? Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.
3. Use the right navigation system. Whether it is memory, GPS or a physical map, use the right tool and punch in the right address to get to the specific destination. Sailors at sea without a compass get lost and could end up in hostile territory or dangerous waters. In the same way, with out the Bible, our navigator on this journey and our campus always pointing us to true North, we will be lost.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
On this journey, one must constantly be referring to the navigation system or they will veer off the path. In the same way, God’s Word must constantly be before our eyes, in our ears, on our hearts and minds so we can obey it. Imagine if GPS tell you turn left in 600 meters and instead you turn right: make a U-turn, make a U-turn!!!! Is what the GPS will say. We have to follow the instructions of the navigation system in order to get to our destination. When the Bible says something, we do it. And yes, sometimes we miss the mark, thank God for His grace and mercy that allows us to make a U-turn and get back on course. Another thing I’m grateful for in the Bible as our navigation system is that it never says GPS signal lost! The Bible is always full of wisdom, instruction and profitable to direct us to all the good paths of righteousness.
“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live“. 2 Timothy 3:16
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart“. Hebrews 4:12
4. There are snacks for our journey! As a Mom, I always pack some snacks for my family whenever we are going on a trip. Along the way, when we are starting to get tired, I pull out the snacks and we get refreshed. Our bodies are revived, and we get a new kick of energy to continue the journey. The snacks will hold us over until we reach our destination or stop for a big meal.
God, being the loving, caring and thoughtful Father, has prepared plenty of spiritual nourishment to refresh and energize us on our journey. He has given us the fruit of the Spirit. We need love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control to be able not only to survive this journey of salvation but to thrive at it and enjoy it! Snacks make a road trip fun! In the same way, the joy that God gives us on this journey renews our strength. His peace keeps us calm even though the journey seems like it is going on for ever. Patience helps us persevere through hard times. Self control helps us not to compromise and get off the salvation journey or backslide. The Holy Spirit who gives us this fruit, also guides us, reminds us of Jesus’ teaching and instruction and gives us the power to obey God.
5. You need to refuel. When traveling on a long road trip, your fuel will run low and it is wise to add more fuel to your tank before the car stops on the highway. The driver and passengers will also need a rest stop to stretch and use the washroom.
Many Christians today, especially those in ministry, are not taking the much-needed time to rest and refuel. It is something we need to be more intentional and deliberate about, for the good of our journey and for the good of those we are serving. If the driver does not rest and refuel, the passengers are in trouble. If the shepherd does not rest and refuel, the sheep are in trouble.
When Elijah was worn out, tired, exhausted and burnt out after that great time of ministry on the Mount Carmel, did God say he was being of little faith? No, God did not even reprimand him, because God made us and understands our human frailties. We do not yet have a glorified body, so in this body, we need rest, and we need refuel. Both physical and spiritual refreshing.
So, God said to Elijah; eat and sleep.
“Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, “Get up and eat!” Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep. Later the Lord’s angel came to him again, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat! If you don’t, you will not be strong enough to make the long trip.” 1 Kings 19:5-7
When is the last time you took a break to refuel? Jesus often went to a quiet place alone to rest and refuel. Away from the crowds or congregation and away from the disciples or family and close friends. He did this often, not just once or twice but often. Frequently.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
6. Someone has made this trip before us, and He can give us all the tips.
Colossians 1:18 says Jesus is the first born from the dead. He is the first to make this journey successfully and reach the destination. So, it would do us good to listen to what He has to say because He is speaking from a place of firsthand knowledge and experience, not speculation or educated guesses.
Whenever I’m visiting a new place or country, I like to ask friends and family who have been there before what they recommend in terms of fun places to visit and great places to eat. Jesus is that person for us on this journey of salvation. He will tell us what to avoid, what we must do, like a local telling you the best places to eat or shop when you are new in town. 1 Peter 2:21 talks about Jesus leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 John 2:6 says Whoever says those who abide in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.
For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Hebrews 4:15
7. You are not alone.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].” 1 John 4:4
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17
I will conclude with Ephesians 5:15 AMP “Therefore see that you walk (let us say travel on this journey) carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people]…
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