A while back, my older sister asked me two questions that I have been thinking about a lot lately. The first question was, “What would you pack for a 2300-mile visit to your sister’s home?” The second question was, “What would you pack for your spiritual journey to your heavenly home?”
And for some time, I thought about these questions, and I realized that there is a lot of overlap between the two. Just as I would pack basic and essential personal items for a visit to my sister, I also need to pack my spiritual clothing and basic necessities for my journey to heaven. So, here’s my response:
Packing for a Visit to Your Sister’s Home
When you pack for a visit to your sister’s place, you’ll need to pack clothes, toiletries, and other essentials. You might also want to pack some snacks and drinks, books or magazines to read, or a game to play. And don’t forget about the special something – a gift to give her that you know she’ll especially enjoy.
Some years ago, I had made arrangements to travel from California all the way across the states to my sister’s home in Virginia. As I packed my bags, I reached for the 1 lb. box of See’s candy. Smiling, I held the box in my hands and then slipped it into my suitcase. I knew she would like it. It had been many years since we had shared a box together. And although the thought of explaining the arrival of an empty See’s box crossed my mind, I managed to muster up the necessary amount of self-control needed to zip my suitcase shut and the full box of Sees intact.
But what about packing for your journey to heaven? What do you need to take with you on that journey? First, let’s look at how the packing differs.
Consider the Difference
The first difference is in the type of mileage we travel. My sister’s home is a physical distance of thousands of miles. It involves me traveling with bags in hand. And it necessarily requires a plane, a preplanned air pathway, and ticket for a specific amount of time. I normally take this trip on my own knowing that the challenges I face might include among others: a canceled flight, a misplaced ticket, a large crowd of people, illness, even lost baggage!
A spiritual journey, on the other hand, is a journey that we all take in life. It is a journey of self-discovery, of understanding who we are in God’s kingdom, and of finding our purpose nd calling to something greater than ourselves. It is a journey that can be challenging, but it is also a journey that is rewarding, powerful and transformative.
Some believe that there are many different paths that we can take on our spiritual journey. Others find their way through prayer and meditation, while still others find their way through nature or through the study of different religions. As a Christian life coach, I approach life from a biblical perspective and explore the challenges that we face and how we can overcome them with the strength of God.
The challenges that we face on our spiritual journey are many and varied. Many are unexpected. We may face challenges of doubt, of fear, of loss, and of pain. We may also face challenges of temptation, of addiction, and of self-destruction. But through it all, we can find the strength to overcome these challenges with the strength and guidance of God.
Then how should we pack for our spiritual trip and arrival at God’s home?
The Bible tells us that we can’t take anything with us on our journey to heaven. Our bodies will die and our earthly belongings will be left behind. So what do we need to pack?
Packing for Your Journey to Heaven
Getting ready for our spiritual journal requires a different type of packing. We need to pack those things which not only endure but will aid us as we travel to our final heavenly destination. Those things are our faith, our hope, and love. These are the things that will carry us on our journey and help us to arrive safely at our final destination.
- Faith is believing in something that we can’t see. It’s believing in God, and His Son, Jesus and His promises.
- Hope is believing that things will get better, even when they seem hopeless.
- Love is the most powerful force in the universe. It’s what binds us together, gives us strength and makes us human.
These are the things that we need to pack for our journey to heaven. They are the things that will sustain us and help us to arrive safely at our final destination.
In the book of Deuteronomy 31:8, we learn that God is always with us on our spiritual journey; we do not travel alone. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is there to comfort us in times of trouble, to guide us when we are lost, and to give us strength when we are weak. God is also there to celebrate our victories and to rejoice with us in our triumphs. And so, the final item I would pack is wisdom. It is that special extra something that I would bring with me to guide my thoughts, my words and behavior.
If you are on a spiritual journey, I encourage you to keep going. The challenges may be great, but the rewards are greater still. And remember, you are never alone. God is always with you, and He is always there to help you.
Your faith, hope, and love will sustain you on your journey to heaven. They will help you to overcome challenges and to find happiness and fulfillment. So make sure to pack them well and wrap them in wisdom and don’t forget to take along that box of Sees candy!
Mary Buck, PhD / Christian Life Coach /
As God gets bigger in our lives–we get stronger!
MLBuck©2023 with the assistance of:
“Leonardo.ai.” Leonardo.ai, 2023, http://www.leonardo.ai/.
“BARD.” Bard.ai, 25 March. 2023, http://www.bard.ai/.
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