I’d been working hard to prepare for a trip to visit my son and daughter-in-law in Florida. I needed to get things done in the office and make sure things were covered the next week. I had a class final to complete, and I struggled with brain fog. I also had a long to-do list at home, “laundry, cleaning, bill paying, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, packing….” I did my best, but several things had to be left for my family to complete for me.
Then there were the mental preparations that needed taken care of. I don’t like to fly. At all. It just feels wrong to be up that high. I also had a lot of “what ifs” about the trip that I had to let go of.
After much physical and mental preparation, there I sat. I took a deep breath and looked at the airplane wing out my window. No turning back now. Nothing to do but sit and trust. I had to trust that I packed everything I need, trust that the things I didn’t get finished before leaving would get taken care of if they were truly necessary, trust that I’d arrive safely to my destination and trust that God would take care of all the other “what ifs.”
I thought about how much work it took to get to this point and also how jealous I was of the people who boarded the plane carrying nothing. I had crammed as much as I could into my checked bag and the bag I chose for my personal item.
As we prepared for take-off, I thought about how much easier it is to prepare for our eternal destination in heaven. Sometimes we make it difficult by all the “don’ts” and by all of the “do’s” that we put on ourselves when it’s really so simple.
Jesus took care of all of the preparations for us when He died for our sins. All we have to do is believe and put our trust in Jesus. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He died and rose again. Trust in Him as Lord by turning away from our sin and following Him. In doing so, we will be saved for eternity.
The Advent season is a time when we are reminded of God’s people awaiting the birth of the Messiah and our own anticipation of Christ’s return. As we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth at Christmas, make sure we are prepared for His return. Share the Good News with others so that they too can be prepared.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”~Romans 10:9-10
“Everyone who calls onthe name of the Lord will be saved.” ~Romans 10:13
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30