Simply On Vacation
As we were planning our long anticipated vacation, I found myself wondering about the things we would do and the places we would see. Some plans were in place, but many of the days were going to be a true adventure into the unknown. It tends to be a little bit scary, especially since like most of us, I am more comfortable with the predictable. The whole thing serves to be a good analogy of our journey through life. We would like to be in total control, but deep down we must admit that we know we are not. Whether on a short vacation or the long trip of life, control must be ultimately relinquished to God. That reality is expressed in the Bible where it is stated that, “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Cor. 5:7)
While I was thinking about the trip, my mind was also on the return home. Coming home to responsibilities such as the long list of e-mails and stacks of snail mail. Matters of ministry and the concerns of the church must be addressed. Above and beyond these is the joy and anticipation of coming home to family and friends. The trip may have uncertainties, the stops along the way, no matter how wonderful, are temporary, but arriving home will have the feel of permanence. It will mean rest after a pleasant, but rather tiring journey.
My little analogy is not all that profound. It is intended to simply remind us all that this world is not our home. We are just passing through, as on a vacation. The Bible says this of Abraham, the father of faith. When he was called, he followed, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as if he were in a foreign country. He never built a permanent dwelling, but chose to live in a tent. All because he was waiting for an eternal dwelling built by God. May we all learn to so live.
-Terry Morrison