Just travelin’ through. Are you?

For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.(1 Chronicles 29:15)

I was thinking this week about what it looks like to live as a traveler or sojourner on a practical level. Having just returned from a trip over Labor Day weekend, the realities of traveling effectively are fresh on my mind. (There was a technical glitch last week due to a software update that prevented my post from publishing. You may read it HERE.)

What does it take to travel well?

Plan – I had to intentionally plan for even a weekend trip. This involved communicating with people at both the origin and destination. Everyone needed to know my travel plans in order for the trip to be accommodated and enjoyed by all.

Pay – I had to spend money for the transportation. It took up space in my budget.

Pack – Even for just a weekend filled with several social events, I started thinking about what I needed a few weeks ahead, reserving certain clothing items for the trip. In order to pack as few items as possible, I decided on wearing black interchangeable pants and capris the entire weekend and just switching out tops. When considering tops, I thought through which tops were most wrinkle-free and packed the more travel-friendly items. I brought along just enough make-up for “one face” that would work for all occasions, and packed one pair of black dress shoes that would coordinate with all of the dress-up outfits required for the three-day holiday.

All of this for one weekend. 

So the question becomes, have I worked this hard preparing for living an entire lifetime as a traveler? If so, then the questions become:

• Do the people in my life know that I am not living for this life, but the next?
• Do I make room in my budget for supporting organizations that grow the kingdom of God?
• Is there room in my budget for visiting, gifting and hosting people for the purposes of developing relationships that glorify God?
• Do I streamline my lifestyle so I can be flexible with little effort and carrying as little “weight” as possible?
• Does it feel like my material possessions contribute to my life, or do they drain life out of me?

I am not living for here. I am traveling through on my way to the Kingdom to come. Therefore, I want to live simply and have financial margin in my bank account and margins in my schedule for people.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…(Hebrews 12:1)

Truth is, I have laid aside some encumbrances but still have others to shed. I am praying for these to also be laid aside one day so I can move more quickly and easily as the Spirit leads. The Lord knows my desires and I wait expectantly for His answers.

I am just traveling through in this life of mine. Want to join me?

Picture Explanation: On my quick weekend trip, I saw an amazing stage performance, attended a beautiful wedding and enjoyed some of a horse show. Imagine all that can be accomplished in a lifetime if I pack lightly.

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