Do you remember those holiday trips? As the song goes, over the hill and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday it is good to reflect on our journeys. As with any trip this question echoes in our mind. Are we there yet? Where? Where have our journeys brought us? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Having just returned from a long journey I find pleasure in sitting still. As I sit here my mind turns to the road I traveled. As with many of our journeys we have a route we plan, an itinerary in mind. My thoughts go to all the detours.

As I crisscrossed the countryside, I am mindful of where God was going to take me on a detour for His glory. On my recent trip I had the pleasure of meeting Matthew, a tree climber for Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief and an emergency room nurse in his home life. An unplanned part of the journey that was a blessing. Remember, in the midst of the journey, God has a blessing for us.

Racing road trips can take on a life of their own. Many times it isn’t a straight line. I am encouraged when I see someone post they are traveling from here to there and if someone needs something delivered or picked up let them know. I have been known to transport racecar parts on some of my journeys. Those little side trips present opportunities to pour out the blessings we have from knowing God.

Think about who has gone out of their way to help make our journey possible. I am sure, if you are like me, the more you think about it the longer the list becomes. Last week we talked about gratitude, this week we return the favor. Consider what was done for you and do the same for someone else.

While we are not there yet, I am glad to say we are closer than where we started. I have watched many of you move closer to God during the last year. I have been blessed to be a part of your progress. We have all grown closer and have learned to lean on one another. Our journey together is life changing when we invite Christ to walk along with us.

The holidays give us the time to reflect and redirect our journey. The fact is there will always be a journey to take and a place to arrive. We need to remember; we are not there yet. The places we arrive at on our journey are just rest stops along the road to building a life that demonstrates our gratitude and thankfulness to God for loving us.

We have stopped at many places along the road this year, we have visited and spent time with many people along the way; some in passing and some we have taken time to sit and talk with. What have we shared? What have we added? Have we overcome the focus on self to be able to pour into the lives of others? Have we left a sweet aroma in our wake?

Ephesians 5:1-2; NLT; Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

To be able to pour out a blessing to others we need to be filled ourselves. Sometimes we don’t slow down enough to fill ourselves up. God promises to fill us with joy and peace. We have to allow him to do that. That is our spiritual journey, much like the ones we travel over the road. Part of the journey is our own growth in our relationship with God.

John 14:26-27; NLT; But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Joy is God’s presence with us, the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, His seal of our relationship. The Holy Spirit reminds us of who God is and that he is with us. Peace becomes ours when we trust God and allow Him to have control over the direction of our journey. As we journey we develop greater joy and peace, we grow deeper in our relationship with God.

I would encourage you to take some time during this holiday season to reflect on your journey with God. Ask yourself, am I full and overflowing with joy and peace? Let Him fill you and then allow that overflowing Spirit to bring hope to those around us.

Sometimes we are not sure how that works, how does the Holy Spirit come to live in my heart? He is available to all but will not force His presence on us. He comes when we invite Him. God provided the gift; we need only accept it.

If we are ready to accept Jesus as our Savior, to invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and guide our journey we can do so through a prayer like this:

Dear God, I am so sorry that I have not been thankful enough for what You have done for me in my life. I want to have the same devotion for You that I have seen others have. I want to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins right now. I trust in His death and resurrection as all I need to cleanse me of my sins and make me perfect in Your sight. I desire to be obedient to your Spirit and to have you with me everywhere I journey in life. Thank You for freeing me from the burdens of my mistakes and giving me peace, in the form of eternal salvation. Help me to make Your love known to others. Amen.”

As we enjoy the holiday season and reflect on where we have been, what a blessing to be able to begin a journey with God.  We start that journey by acknowledging our shortcomings; realizing that we are not able to secure our future without the presence of Christ in our lives.  If you prayed this prayer, please share it with us. We would like the opportunity to pray for you on your new journey.

Let’s make a commitment to take the time to let God pour into us this holiday. Carve some time out for God and sit quietly before Him and let Him help us see what He has for us each day. His promise in John 10:10 is that He came to give us life, abundant and overflowing. Don’t let the world we live in rob us of the joy and peace that only comes from God.

Blessings,

Pastor Don