"Feed the Flock": Packing for a Trip

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
A young woman was packing for her family vacation. In order to travel as lightly as possible, she planned to carry only one suitcase. Having almost finished, she remarked to her sister, “I’m about done packing. I’ve only got to add a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, my favorite love letters, a microscope, a telescope, a song book, a sword and a set of books I have been studying, and I’ll be finished.”
“But,” her sister gasped, “how can you get all that in your suitcase? It’s almost full now!”
The young woman smiled, “Oh, all that won’t take up very much room.”
Walking over to a table she picked up her Bible, and, placing it in the corner of her suitcase, zipped it closed. Smiling at her sister she added, “And I even had room for a loaf of living bread!”
Are you and I traveling on life’s journey with what is really essential the precious Word of God? Or has it been left out of our life’s “luggage” so that other, far less important things can be included?
Is our divine guide used everyday? “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.... Whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak” (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
The day is growing morally darker each moment. Is our divine lamp being used? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)).
What’s reflected when we look into the mirror of His Word? “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:1818But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)).
Do we focus the Word of God on the innermost thoughts of our hearts, seeking to judge all in His holy presence? “The word of God is quick, and powerful... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)).
Do we allow the divine Word to focus our eyes on the glories of heaven that belong to us in and with our blessed Lord? “Blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)).
Do we find, in reading His precious words, that our loving God “giveth songs in the night” (Job 35:1010But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; (Job 35:10)) as well as peace because God has compassed “me about with songs of deliverance” (Psa. 32:77Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7))?
How adept are we at using the “sword” of the Word of God? Do we cut off ears with it or use the Bible to go on the offensive against the enemy? “Take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:1717And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)).
Are we being diligent in searching the Word? “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)).
Ed.