Have a Traveler's Mindset

Are you on a journey?  I am.

My life has never taken the "easy roads."  Oh, there have been some grand views and great adventures along the way.  But there have also been deserts and thickets, some big boulders and steep mountains.  I've wondered sometimes if God was such a great leader why He'd take me on such a meandering, difficult path.

And yet I believe that He has always been there, helping me along.  Even in those times that seem so dark, there is something in my heart that tells me to keep on going, keep pressing on.  It's His voice, telling me that HE knows my destination.

I love Psalm 84, because it talks about a journey. It's an ancient song that tells of longing, even fainting to see and experience the courts of the Lord, which was His temple in Jerusalem.   And as the writer describes the beauty of God's sanctuary, he pauses to talk about the trip to get there.

The rest of the Psalm is beautiful (and I encourage you to read it), but it's this verse the captures my imagination.  It's not one of those bland scriptures on a greeting card.  It's one you can sink your teeth into, and really be motivated by.  It's one to chew on and I love it.

Here are a few "Travel Tips," taken from this little jewel of a verse:

Pack Lightly.  Nothing slows you down like unnecessary baggage.  Why struggle along with the burdens of guilt, anger, and bitterness over the past?  Let those things go. Right now, today.  God is fully able to handle anything you give Him.  You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to travel when you aren't lugging big old bags that don't have anything in them but garbage.

Pack Lightly, but Pack Some Heat.  The trip will take you through some dangerous territory, so you need to carry some self-protection.  God's word is our weapon of choice against the enemy's attacks.  Hidden in its pages are power and life. The more you know, the better you can fight off Satan, who would love nothing better than to leave you stripped and broken by the side of the road.  That ain't gonna happen when you're packing a serious weapon, and you aren't afraid to use it. Oh yeah.

Stay with your Group.  Find some good traveling companions, the kind that help you along, not bring you down.   It's important to have people in your group that are familiar with the way, because they've been there before.   I love what's happening on this blog, through Priscilla and Going Beyond...we're encouraging one another every day, cheering for our victories and offering a hand to those who need it.  Don't wander off!  We need each other.

Hang on to your Ticket.  That means: know where you're going. When you set your heart on something, it means you have decided on it.  You aren't changing your mind.  You aren't turning back around.  By golly, you're gonna make it!  No matter what happens or how discouraging the trip may be, you've set your sights on your destination and that's where you're going.  And you WILL succeed.

Finally, Know Where Your Strength Is.  Strength for the journey doesn't come from your gene pool.  Mercy, I was BORN a quitter!  Strength comes from the Lord Himself, and this verse tells me that there is blessing in that very fact.  Whooeee, I like that I don't have to manufacture all that muscle by myself.  When you are feeling weak, just remember that He has all the strength you need to keep going.

God has an incredible plan for each of us, but sometimes we don't see how or where is He is taking us.  We've got to just keep believing, just keep trusting.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Eventually, we'll get to a spot with a panoramic view that will blow our minds.

We'll say, "Look where He's brought us!  Look how far we've come!"

My friends, the trip will be worth the view.

Rachel