folsom point church of Christ

On The Road Again

That time of year has crept up on us once more: the holiday season. Beginning this week, the rest of 2009 will be a mixture of quick trips to the deer lease, in and outs to family gatherings, and extended vacations related to seasonal travel. One way or another, most of us will be on the road. And, is it just me, or have you noticed that gas prices are conveniently on the rise as well?

Since there is so much activity packed in the last six weeks of the year, it is easy to overlook the simple things and forget about the matters that are most significant. We will share the common experience of travel. What are some things we can remind one another of and encourage each other to do as we pass through this holiday season? How can we keep our spiritual meter from going into cruise control?

Worship while you are away. When I was growing up, I can remembering wondering why we had to go to church during the summer. After all, we were out of school. But you don’t get a vacation from the Lord, do you? Sunday comes no matter where you are (Heb. 10:24-25). And our relationship with God ought to be important enough to us that we will seek out a place to assemble with the saints.

Every week, we have visitors here from other places who are just passing through. They encourage us because they are evidence that worship is not about your physical location but the position of your heart. Let us use these next few weeks to be a blessing to other congregations around the country who are following the same Book we are. If you’ll be staying with family members who don’t normally attend services, invite them to come with you. Just don’t use them as an excuse for why you won’t go. You can be an influence on them for good instead of being a hindrance to their own spirituality.

Give the gift of your presence. One of the reasons I don’t enjoy this time of year as much as I should is because I get caught up in its hustle and bustle. By the time I arrive at where I am supposed to be, I am so worn out from preparing to get there that I’m too tired to savor it. What a waste! This time, I’m going to try to do better.

There are some people, even those in your own family, whom you only get to see once or twice a year. Why not make the most of these special opportunities afforded us this season (Eph. 5:16)? Give them the gift of your time and attention by removing yourself from a fast-spinning world and losing yourself in the lost art of conversation. Presents are unwrapped and soon forgotten. Memories, especially during the holidays, last a lifetime.

Don’t forget how to get home. We all can use some time off and time away (Eccl. 3:12-13). It helps rejuvenate our minds and bodies and rekindle the fire in our spirits. But there is a special feeling about getting back to what’s familiar, returning to where you belong, coming home. There’s no place like it.

Home is not just about a place. It’s about people. It’s where our friends and loved ones await our return. It’s where we fit and feel welcome. It’s where we serve our best. Have you ever noticed how the trip seems shorter on the way back? That’s because we can’t wait to get there. Go travel. But hurry home.

The holiday season can be hard at times because we think about those who aren’t here anymore. But even then, we can take comfort that they’ve just gone home. And we’re on the road to see them again.

Bubba Garner


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