“A nine-hour delay!?!?” This was my reaction a few days ago at the airport when I looked at the information screen for the gate next to our flight. My daughter, Isabell, and I are in the midst of our book tour to promote our new book, Road to Wholeness. Consequently, we are in the thick of lots of travel and navigating hiccups, delays, cancellations, re-routing, etc. On our most recent trip, half of our flights were cancelled, and we’ve done some creative problem solving to get to our next destination. Along the way, I’ve learned some good lessons that might be useful to you—not only for summer travel, but also for the journey of life. Here’s some food for thought:
Lesson 1: Travel light. On a recent flight, my seatmate explained that her checked luggage was at Love Field in Dallas, but she’d taken an Uber to DFW (another big airport in the Dallas/Fort Worth area) to catch a flight to Denver. She didn’t know when her luggage would catch up with her, and I suspect that she just wanted to get to her destination and let her luggage arrive whenever. She chose to get herself to her destination at the expense of a delayed arrival for her luggage.
For me, I choose carry-on luggage exactly for this reason—to avoid lost and delayed luggage. This forces me to pack light because I have to carry whatever I bring. From this, I’m reminded of what Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” When we travel in life and carry worries, fears, concerns, anxieties, etc., these burdens can create delays, fatigue and even undesirable destinations. Travel light.
Lesson 2: Proper packing and creative solutions. In general, I keep my suitcase half packed so I don’t forget the stuff I need every day: toothpaste, deodorant, brush, toothbrush, etc. At the same time, I’ve forgotten stuff that I needed on a variety of trips. If I’m in the U.S., generally what I’ve forgotten to pack doesn’t lead to a crisis. Walmart, or a grocery store, is often accessible and helps me with what I didn’t bring. At the same time, I’ve come up with creative solutions on many occasions when I couldn’t find or acquire what I needed.
To this end, let’s remember the whole Isaac-being-sacrificed scenario in Genesis 22. In this chapter, Abraham sets out on a journey, at God’s directive, to sacrifice Isaac, his son. On the journey, Abraham had everything he needed, and when Isaac asked about the sacrifice, Abraham answered in verse eight, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” That’s exactly what happened in the crisis moment of need: God provided a ram in the thicket for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac. Even though we might do our best to have necessary provisions for our journey in life, we can also rest in the truth that God has provisions and supplies ready to match our needs and our lack at the most appropriate and significant times.
Lesson 3: Destination flexibility. For my recent traveling, we’ve either visited or passed through Chicago, Akron, Baltimore, Houston and Dallas. Some of these places had longer stays than others and, of course, I liked some of these destinations more than others. At the same time, I’m aware that God participates in my journeys and that He directs not only my steps and destinations, but also the pacing and purposes for the journey. Lots of times, we have a clear schedule and reason for our travels, but I’m coming to learn that God often has different plans and timings than my efforts. Consider some verses for your journey in life:
Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
Psalm 37:23, “ The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.”
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
No matter where your journey in life takes you, be committed to walking with God. Indeed, no one is a better traveling companion than our heavenly Father!
