We live by a lake but we travel to the ocean and we pay handsomely for the view. Even a peek above rooftops or between high rises costs a premium. We have potable tap water piped into our homes yet we purchase bottled drinking water by the gallon or the ounce. Marketing isn’t entirely to blame. We are affluent, and we’ve grown accustomed to convenience.
This occurred to me as I pack for an upcoming beach weekend with three of my married children and one grandchild. In an effort to simplify their packing lists, I’ve been gathering in supplies. Linens? Check. Towels? Check. Paper goods? Soaps and detergents? Check. I’m making my list and checking it twice. During Bible study on Sunday, a friend shared a perfect analogy, which of course, struck a chord with me at the time.
She said that when you pack for vacation, you shouldn’t wait until the night before. You begin packing weeks in advance. Then you’re able to grab your bags at a moments notice. We were discussing a passage from Matthew 24 where Jesus’s disciples ask Him privately about the signs of His return and the end of the age. Jesus says no one knows the day or hour except the Father. He gives many signs but sums up His comments by stressing watchful readiness.
“So you, too, must keep watch!
For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:42 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.24.42.NLT
The disciples’ question hints at my own desire to know ahead of time what to expect and when. I want details. Check in and check out times. Directions, expected travel times, and planned stops. A pastor with whom I chaperoned many youth trips had a saying before leaving the church. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape. His plans were well thought out and thorough, but he didn’t want the inevitable monkey wrench to wreak havoc on everyone and everything. So we’d pack extras and plan for every contingency we could imagine and ask God to grant us grace for the unexpected. And He always did!
So how exactly are we supposed to pack for eternity? There’s the old cartoon captioning a hearse towing a U-Haul trailer that reads “you can’t take it with you.” How does one prepare for the unknown? Ask any soldier who’s being sent to the battlefront. Talk with a young mother who’s about to deliver her first child. Interview the first astronauts. You do your homework and pray for the best. Preparing for eternity isn’t so different.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.19-21.NLT
If you were awakened by a fire alarm in the middle of the night, what would you grab first? My answer is always who I’d take. Now that it’s just me, my husband and the dogs, it’s highly likely that he’d be rushing us all out the door ahead of him. Once, I would’ve said I’d grab the youngest child first as I yelled for the others to follow. We rehearsed what we’d do, where we’d meet up, and how we would make our escape just in case. Matthew’s record of Jesus’s words sound the same.
“A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack.
A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.”
Matthew 24:17-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.24.17-18.NLT
In light of eternity, our things won’t matter at all! Perishable things do just that- perish. The kingdom of heaven is unshakable, imperishable, eternal. (Hebrews 12:27) God is preparing a new body for us, a dwelling not built by human hands. (II Corinthians 5:1) The view will be indescribable. Our every need will be met and nothing corrosive, destructive, shameful, guilt-producing, evil or perverse will even exist. (Revelation 21-22:5)
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”
Hebrews 12:28 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.28.NLT
Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.
For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes.
Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Luke 12:22-23, 29-34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.12.31-34.NLT
Let’s not wait until the final hour because the day of the Lord will take us all by surprise like a thief in the night. Even those who were looking for Messiah were surprised by baby Jesus. Look to God’s Word for traveling information and impress upon your people the need to be ready. We’re talking about the trip of a lifetime!
“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying,
“Look, God’s home is now among his people!
He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”
Revelation 21:3 NLT
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