On to Jerusalem
Well, travel is happening again. After 3 years, there are few restrictions left for travelling around the country and the world. And so I'd like to ask the question we don't often like to ask... Why? What is the purpose of our travels? It is amazing that we can jump on a plane and go nearly anywhere in the world. Holidays or family visits are probably the most common reasons. But I'd like to challenge us today with Acts 21. How can we make the reason bigger than holidays or family? Have a listen to just a section of Paul's travels as he heads towards Jerusalem - his mission:
Acts 21:1-6
1After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
On his journey/mission to Jerusalem, Paul has to make many stops. And this is not a 4-hour layover in Dubai. These are substantial stops. And each time, he aims to connect with the followers of Jesus. There weren't that many in those days. But Paul finds them and meets with them. At Tyre, they unloaded cargo and Paul stopped for 7 days with the disciples there. When they left, the disciples, with their whole families, walked with Paul out of the city and knelt with him in prayer before he left. Can you imagine the many relationships Paul developed around the world with Christians because he took the time to seek them out and stay with them?
I'm not suggesting that every time we travel that we should be on a mission to Jerusalem or wherever! But how much more might we add to our trips if we made some plans to connect with local Christians - whether we're travelling interstate or overseas or just up to the coast for a bit? Imagine the real relationships that we might build over time if we made some time for connecting with the wider church on those journeys.
It's just a thought - a reflection - but imagine adding a lifetime of connections with a lifetime of holidays. Even just by visiting the local Church on a Sunday away.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for my brothers and sisters around the world. Help me to consider how I might encourage them and pray for them each day, but also how I might connect with them in my travels. Give me opportunities to connect and a desire to know the joy of relationships that I might have through meeting with others.
Amen.