Journey Of Fellowship

What is a journey? A journey is more than a trip, more than just a process of going from point A to point B, or however many points it takes to get you to your intended destination. There are many types of journeys that we may have to take on our main trip of life: happy trips, such as vacations, trips to friends and family, pleasure trips, honeymoons, anniversaries, etc. There are also non-happy trips, such as funerals, unpleasant business trips, and a trip to the home office to be told you’ve been fired. Then there are those little trips to the store or doctor or dentist.

Then there are many things to consider when we plan a journey. Is it a long journey, or just for a day or two? If a long term trip, are there transportation concerns, do we need to secure bus, train, or airline tickets? Are we going to be going out of the country? If so, will we need a passport? Will we need to get immunization shots? If we are going to a different country, are there issues such as what to eat, and what not to eat, will we need an interpreter? Maybe it is just a trip to see friends or relatives, and we will just be gone for a few days. If it’s a trip we will be taking in the car, we will need to get the car checked out, tires, engine, oil change, etc. And of course a very important issue: do we have enough money to take the trip and return home? Is the whole family going? Do we have pets to be concerned about? Do we need to have our mail and newspaper stopped while we are gone? So you can see there are many things that can cause us concern and worry when planning a journey in the human side of our lives. Regardless of the type of trip, or journey, we need to be prepared. Regardless of the duration, long or short term, we have to plan.

The same is true in our spiritual lives, and even more so. In Luke, chapter 14, verses 28-30, JESUS uses a parable of the builder who, “intending to build a tower, but did not first sit down and count the cost whether he had the funds to complete the project. For if he lays the foundation, and is not able to finish it, every one will ridicule him, saying he started but could not finish.” The builder did not do the proper preparation for the project. He did not count the cost. If it was important in JESUS’ eyes to prepare, then it needs to be in our eyes also. Paul writes to us in Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD and the FATHER by HIM.” In our planning and counting the cost, we must do it to the glory of the FATHER and the SON. In Matthew 20:23, JESUS tells us “You shall drink of MY cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit at MY right hand or MY left hand is not MINE to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of MY FATHER.”