Holiday travel can be a hassle. Here in the Charlotte area, travelers tried desperately yesterday to get to the airport, but traffic was backed up for miles. People left their cars and ran a mile or two with luggage, often only to find delayed or cancelled flights!
One way to avoid hours of trouble is to listen to travel tips. I recently read the following tips and was struck by how similar they are to the lessons God gives for getting to heaven. Give these some thought…
1) Prepare for trouble. This one might be obvious if travelling in a winter storm, but Christians often seem surprised when life is tough. The road of life will be difficult if you live according to His way, but the reward is worth the trouble (John 15:18).
2) Get to the airport 2 hours in advance. You don’t have to get to church that early, but it is far greater to make your decision to follow God now rather than later. Why not enjoy the peace that God offers to those who know their destination (Matthew 6:33).
3) Travel is easier without a lot of baggage. While we all bring “baggage” to church, shedding the weight of past mistakes and travelling “lighter” are freedoms offered by the gospel (Matthew 11:28-30).
4) Call an agent at the first sign of trouble. Amen! People tend to wait until addictions are entrenched, finances are ruined, or family issues are extensive. We would be so much better off if we would seek help at the first signs of trouble (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
5) If you miss your flight call the airline ASAP. If you miss your flight, you wouldn’t just give up on getting to Grandma’s! You would say, “I messed up. Please help me get where I need to go!” If you sin (“miss the mark”), ask God for forgiveness and get back on your path to heaven (1 John 1:9).
Just don’t miss the last flight because you never got a ticket. The price was paid in Jesus’ blood. Accept His sacrifice today, be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and enjoy the peace God offers His children.
