Ready to Travel? Be sure to Pack Smart

Ready to travel? Do you have all you need from your mental checklist in your suitcase? Tickets? Identification? Toothbrush?

When preparing for an overseas trip, I found this simple advice on a traveler’s security website: Pack Smart. That’s good advice but is it also applicable as a checklist for your faith journey. Effective packing must be done for living the Christian life, since we are Christ’s ambassadors in this world.

Consider these necessities to travel your faith journey.

P.a.c.k.  S.m.a.r.t.

Personal Identification: Appropriate identification is a necessity for check-in. But also remember your identity in Christ. 

I have summoned you be name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Attitude: Another travel tidbit from the Internet was, “stay calm when going through security.” You might smile as you read that, recalling long lines and frustration. A Christ-filled attitude makes a huge difference when faced with travel frustrations.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 ESV

Communicate. Airports are full of people walking quickly from one gate to another while talking of their cell phone or texting.  Likewise, as we go through our daily lives, we need to have communication with God. Prayer keeps us connected with God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Knowledge of where you’re going. It’s wise to learn things about your destination, but equipping yourself with knowledge of the culture you are in is also sensible. Knowledge from the Bible is not just facts and information, but involves application of those truths wherever we go.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 3:18

Shoes. Be sure to take appropriate footwear for your journey, whether it’s sneakers, dress shoes, or beach sandals. Comfortable walking shoes are a necessity; if not, you’ll have sore feet and can’t keep up. Can you keep in step with what God wants you to do on your faith journey?

Since we live by the Spirit , let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

Map. It’s foolish to travel without knowing where you are going. A map shows the way, whether it’s an app or an old-fashioned paper map. Often our spiritual journey takes us to new territory, and we need God’s word to guide us, providing direction.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm119:35

Attire. Be sure to pack appropriate clothes to match the climate of your destination. This seems basic, but if you’re going to the beach you need different clothes than when you are going to the mountains. As Christians we need to wear God’s wardrobe to be well dressed no matter where we go.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:15

Refreshment. Take along a small snack or drink to make travel comfortable. You never know when a delay will occur and you’ll need a little nourishment for the journey. Give your soul daily nourishment by connecting with God and his Word. Do you have the living water handy? You’ll feel refreshed for the challenges of the faith journey if you do.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3

True global positioning. A GPS can tell us where we are, but we must know the true global positioning of our relationship with the Lord. I once heard a prayer to become “helplessly dependent on God.” That is the most secure place to be.

I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

There you have it—P.a.c.k.  S.m.a.r.t. for your faith journey. What’s in your suitcase now? Are you ready to travel?