Friday, January 28, 2011

Travel

Plans are being made for our summer trip home... travel.
We went home for Christmas... travel.
My new blog format title... Travel.
John went on a business trip recently...travel.
I finished reading the stories of Aaron, with Moses and the nation of Israel... travel.
I then read the story of Caleb... also involving travel.
I am now reading the story of Amos, a shepherd who learned about the Lord in the fields... he traveled from his home to an idol-worshiping town nearby when the Lord sent him there to prophesy. First he was 'able' to prophesy against the enemies of the Lord in their land, but then he had to prophesy against his own, because the Lord's people were worshiping as the other nations did and sinning against the Lord.
As we travel through this life on earth, we must remember we are here for a reason and God seeks for those who love Him. I get caught up and distracted by the daily things. I read about the wrath of God on those who sin against Him and remember this is the same God I sit down with in the mornings a little lot too casually with my  coffee on my comfy couch. I read about Amos, Aaron, Caleb on their face before Almighty God and I know I do not have that kind of awe and fear of the Lord.
I loved the study we did a couple of years ago on Daniel. Grasping the tip of understanding that we are Sojourners in this land. Traveling through... on our way home. Traveling used to be easy for me. I didn't even give it a second thought as our family of 6 flies down the highway 80 miles an hour for 13 hours to get to our family. Now I work not to stress and worry about the roads and the other drivers on the road. I have never prayed so diligently as this last trip we took home at Christmas. Thanking God for clear roads when they were clear, thanking Him that He went before and behind us, that He had His hand on us, that He gave my husband wisdom and alertness while driving and guide me while I was driving. Praying for the other drivers and thanking Him over and over for His protection. This should be my frame of mind for our daily life! It is equally dangerous on both a spiritual level and physical! If I am not thinking about the Lord, then I do not think of Him, if I am thinking on the Lord, then I think of Him! Profound, I know!
In reading Sons of Encouragement, by Francine Rivers, I learned about recognizing our own failings and having humility before the Lord. These men were on their face before the Lord. And they failed and desired to  follow more closely. We are so easily led astray. I pray if I recognize this about myself, I will be more diligent to keep my eyes on Him. As I travel. May my journey bring delight to my Shepherd.