July 3rd, 2024

by | Jul 3, 2024 | PS from PS | 0 comments

ps from ps

 Jesus’ TSA requirements from Mark’s gospel – “He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.”  Makes it much easier loading and unloading the Temple area with so much less luggage I guess.

Travel light is an understatement here from Jesus as he instructs on what to take and then sends out the disciples.  Long story short – he’s trying to get them to trust in God, relying less on themselves and more on God’s guidance and provision.  In other words, God’s Light.  So maybe Jesus’ instructions are exactly that – Travel Light.

They are being sent into the world to take God’s Light – light of love, light of grace, light of compassion, light of forgiveness.  And in the times and places that the Light isn’t accepted or the timing isn’t right, they are invited to kick off the dust from their sandals and move on.  Some other person is maybe better in that space.  Some other timing might be better.  More time for God’s Light to work its way into the nooks and crannies of the situation.

And when they Traveled Light, a couple verses later, we find out what happened: “They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”  

Not bad!

What does Traveling Light look like for you this summer?  No doubt, most of us are traveling from Point A to Point B for vacations, rest and maybe a family gathering or two.  But what about Traveling Light in our normal daily routine?  Could we travel lighter and Travel Lighter?

1. Can we travel light?  What would it look like for each of us to depend on ourselves a little less and God’s provision and guidance a little more?  Could we carry less literal baggage as we move through the day?  The stuff we have.  The damage we’ve had happen to us?  The grudges we haven’t let go?  The extra and more that we sometimes amass?

2.  Can we Travel Lighter?  Where is God calling us to go in our dailiness and as our Point B?  Are there people dealing with “demons” that we can go to and be part of their healing process?  Are there locked doors we are trying to push open that we need to walk away from and let God manage?  

I don’t know about you, but as I envision this for myself, my chest feels less tights, I breathe easier and it feels like less weight on my shoulders.  

Maybe Traveling Lighter is a gift we can give to ourselves, God and the world around us this summer.  

Lord, thanks for the invite to Travel Light.  Amen

Still in One Peace,
ps
*******
This will be the last “ps from ps” until September.  In place of the weekly email, our leaders at St. Paul’s have compiled some of their favorite Bible verses to share with you.  You will be able to find them on our YouTube page each week by clicking HERE. Enjoy summer, Travel Light and stay God’s course.
ps