Going, Going...

The time has finally come! I'm ready to pack my bag for my trip to the Holy Land which will be taking place in mid-June. I'll be spending two weeks traveling with twenty-one other pastors from across the country and from a variety of denominations. Bethlehem, Galilee and Jerusalem are some of the places that are on our itinerary. We will have a chance to dunk in the Dead Sea and celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on the Mount of the Beatitudes. I've been looking forward to this spiritual renewal pilgrimage for over a year!

I am what you might call a world traveler, having visited Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Morocco. I've filled out customs declarations and had my passport stamped many times. I've stood in line to check my bags. I've stood in line to collect my bags, hoping that I wouldn't be the victim of a wayward suitcase. By the way, are you aware of the fact that there is now a $15 fee for one piece of checked luggage? Fortunately, though, you can check it through to your final destination.

Speaking of luggage, I am a bit preoccupied with what to take with me, wondering what will fit in my brand-new duffel bag. I chose red so that it would be easy to spot coming off the luggage carousel. It needs to be light enough so that I can lift it and not crammed so full that I don't have room for a souvenir or two. As for doing laundry along the way--who knows when, where, or how!

I'm ready to embark on this sacred journey, opening up my red duffel bag so that God can fill it with his grace, enabling me to lighten my load and leave my earthly baggage behind. My holy passport is ready, identifying me as a child of God. I don't really have to worry about the laundry issue, for God will provide me with clean clothes of forgiveness along the way. I'll be wearing worship and unpacking prayer as I travel the road of discipleship with my spiritual companions, with the assurance that my grace-filled suitcase will accompany me. But most of all, I won't have to worry about paying the extra fee to check my bag to my final destination, for Jesus has already paid the price.