Preparing For The Trip

Much of my day today is being spent preparing for my trip with our team to Nicaragua.  Eight people, including myself and my son Nathaniel, will be heading to Leon on a 6:00 am flight tomorrow morning.  Our purpose will be to prepare the school that we work with for the upcoming school year (which begins in February) by painting and cleaning classrooms. We will also distribute backpacks, school supplies and Christmas gifts to the children of Promise Kids Foundation.  I know it’s going to be an action-packed week! 

So today, I will spend much of the day preparing for the trip by packing, getting documents in order, making sure I have everything I need for the meetings I will be part of, and finish preparing for ministry in the churches and to the kids.  I will have to do a run to the bank and possibly to a store or two.  Any of you who have traveled at all, know it’s all part of preparing for a trip. 

As we have begun this new year, it is kind of like we are embarking on a trip—taking a journey to a new destination.  Of course, we don’t know what this trip will entail, what we will encounter, or where we will end up.  Yet, it is not a bad idea to make some preparations. That might mean setting new priorities or rearranging our schedules.  For some it may mean putting our relationships in order.  Some will need to lay out new goals or write new budgets or work through their calendar. 

All of those things are good ways to prepare for the “trip” ahead.  But I would submit that the most important thing we could do is prepare our hearts for what God might want to do in us and through us in this coming year. And, one of the best ways we can do that is by taking some extra time at the beginning of this year to read God’s Word, the Bible, and allow him to speak to us through it. 

As Joshua of the Old Testament was about to embark on his journey to the Promised Land, God said these words to him: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”  (Joshua 1:8 – NIV)  Reading, meditating upon, and obeying God’s Word would be the key to Joshua’s success as he began his new “trip.”

At the start of this year, let me encourage you to take a little extra time to read, meditate upon, and study God’s Word. I know God will bless you as you do.  It’s a great way to prepare yourself for the trip into 2014.

Have a great day! 

Pastor Tim Harris

www.pifny.org

P.S. - Why not join us for our Christmas to Easter 100 Day Bible Reading Challenge.  It’s not too late to get on board!  You can find it at the PIF website (www.pifny.org).