5 Encouraging Verses for Travel this Season
Updated: Oct 31, 2019
I'm being brave. Tomorrow morning I'm taking four kids across an entire province in our Ford Expedition to a place we've never been. It'll take seven hours. Optimistically. I'm not super optimistic by design, so I'm thinking at least eight. The last time I took the four kids by myself on a big trip we drove right into a blizzard. The visibility dropped so low that the highway was crawling at 30/km an hour instead of 110. That was a loooooooooooong drive!
Still, I feel like the hours stuck in the vehicle will be worth it! My youngest sister and her husband built a new house over the summer and I've been itching to see it, (and them too of course!) I have three sisters, and we are so blessed that we all get along and enjoy hanging out together. The poor brother-in-laws have learned to accept our ridiculously loud laughter and odd jokes as part and parcel of family gatherings, which are getting harder and harder to organize as we all spread out to our own corners of the world.
Packing to spend three nights anywhere is quite a job when you have kids. Thankfully we're past the playpen and stroller stage! (You know the struggle I'm talking about!) Still, even without the baby/toddler paraphernalia, there's plenty to do and pack. I washed all the laundry this morning so we have those favorite outfits, we've downloaded movies onto the tablet, packed snacks, drinks, first aid kit (I'm THAT mom), snow clothes, toys, and books. Still, we always forget something. It's just a given.
Getting ready to travel made me think of Biblical characters who packed up and hit the road, not always willingly.
How did Sarah feel when Abraham popped into the house and said, “Honey, pack up the house. We're going to the promised land!”
The people of Israel had to pack and move over and over again as they wandered in the wilderness. I wonder how often a precious toy or favorite blanket got left behind? Did the moms make a game of rolling up bedding? Did the kids run around crazily, excited to see the next camp?
The people of Israel and Judah were carted away into exile. How much time did they have to gather up belongings for the trip, weeping for all they had lost?
Ruth left her people and moved with her widowed mother-in-law to a foreign land, and ended up in a cave having to forage for food.
Lots of us travel around the holiday season to see friends and family. I'd like to share five verses about travelling to encourage and uplift you as you set out with your loved ones buckled up beside you. May you travel safely, my friends!
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
“The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and forever.” - Psalm 121:8
“Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me.” Psalm 139:7 and 9
When you finally arrive at the hotel or house, invite God's blessing on all who are there! “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace.” Matthew 10:13
Do you have a favorite verse about travel, or God's presence going with you? Please share them in the comments!
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