- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Travelling light
Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold…; take no bag for the journey, for the worker is worth his keep. Matthew 10:8b-10
Waiting for baggage at an airport carousel can be tedious. My cases always seem the last to appear! It's frustrating watching people escape the experience by travelling light with a flight bag as hand luggage. Mastering this art has its benefits.
When commissioning the disciples, Jesus wanted them to move freely and trust Him above everything. Nothing should encumber their mission, not even a money belt, change of clothes, or shoes! They were even to trust others to provide their food and maintenance, something missionaries have often called 'living by faith'. It's a demonstration of commitment and sacrifice. Jesus didn't always call the disciples to live this way. The night before His crucifixion, He asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:35-36) Noting the benefits of travelling light, we have to seek God's will for our lives.
Are you weighed down by too much stuff on life's journey - worldly possessions or concerns? Are the important things being crowded out? As God has given you so much for free, maybe today you could consider what you can give Him, or others, in return. Billy Graham said, 'Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.'
Prayer for today
Gracious Lord, You have given freely. In return, help me live gratefully, generously, and simply.
Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold…; take no bag for the journey, for the worker is worth his keep. Matthew 10:8b-10
Waiting for baggage at an airport carousel can be tedious. My cases always seem the last to appear! It's frustrating watching people escape the experience by travelling light with a flight bag as hand luggage. Mastering this art has its benefits.
When commissioning the disciples, Jesus wanted them to move freely and trust Him above everything. Nothing should encumber their mission, not even a money belt, change of clothes, or shoes! They were even to trust others to provide their food and maintenance, something missionaries have often called 'living by faith'. It's a demonstration of commitment and sacrifice. Jesus didn't always call the disciples to live this way. The night before His crucifixion, He asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:35-36) Noting the benefits of travelling light, we have to seek God's will for our lives.
Are you weighed down by too much stuff on life's journey - worldly possessions or concerns? Are the important things being crowded out? As God has given you so much for free, maybe today you could consider what you can give Him, or others, in return. Billy Graham said, 'Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.'
Prayer for today
Gracious Lord, You have given freely. In return, help me live gratefully, generously, and simply.
