My husband and I love to travel. We plan multiple trips throughout the year, and they may be camping trips, cruises, or just road trips! No matter how we are traveling, however, they all have similarities.
- DESTINATION
It’s not wise to take off without knowing to where you are heading! Without a specific destination in mind, one might meander around aimlessly. I don’t mind a spontaneous side trip now and then, but I really need to have an end destination in mind when we travel.
Once we have the destination, we need to know the route we are going to take. Whenever we go on road or camping trips, we often like to take the back roads instead of the main highways because the way is often has nicer scenery, less congestion, and it’s easier to settle into a relaxed pace. Once that is settled, we were ready to begin the preparations.
- PREPARATIONS
Every trip requires preparation. It could be as simple as packing an overnight bag with the bare essentials to making a reservation, securing a passport, or packing several luggage cases! Even when camping in our trailer, there are many items that need to be stocked up or replaced before we hit the road.
We also visit the websites and read brochures about the places we intend to visit. The anticipation of seeing the things pictured online or in the flyers grows as our departure dates get nearer!
- TRAVELERS
Our trips are more enjoyable (at least for me) when I have someone to go with me! I’m just not a solo traveler. Of course, my hubby is my first choice as a travel partner, but traveling with other family members or friends adds a whole new dimension of fun to our trips! Having others with us when camping or vacationing is such a treat, and the memories we make are so cherished!
- THE JOURNEY
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to take in the scenery as we drive along. It’s much more fun for me to be the navigator than the driver. My husband gets to look around as he drives, but not as in depth as I can do because he has to maintain constant attention to the road and traffic around us. I, however, get to look for animals (my favorite thing to do!), take in the scenic views as we drive, and even take pictures along the way!
A TRIP THAT IS “OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD”!
I am reminded of another trip we’ll be taking one day. It will be the best place of all the places we’ve visited. We’ve already started the trip planning!
- Destination
- Our last trip will be to a place often referred to as “Beulah Land”, which is a symbolic name for HEAVEN! This trip will undoubtedly be the best one we’ll ever take!
- As one who has placed my faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that one future day, I’ll be going to heaven to be with Him forever! While I don’t have a website I can visit, I do have a “brochure” that gives me a glimpse of what this heavenly destination will be like. The Bible provides some insight into heaven, but it clearly is too amazing to be put into words that we can comprehend at this time. I do know that the beauty of earth’s most incredible places, like Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, and others, will pale in comparison to the beauty of heaven! The Bible tells us, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
- As in all of our other trips, we do need to know the route. The route to heaven is given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Now, that we know where we’re going and the way to get there, we have to make our preparations!
- Preparations
- Sometimes when I’m trip planning, it takes weeks to complete. If it’s a camping trip, I’m purchasing and then packing the camper with what we’ll need. If we’re traveling abroad, it’s making sure my passport is current, the luggage is packed, getting the necessary vaccinations, and having emergency contact numbers in place. It’s quite a chore!
- In contrast, there are only two preps that I need to make for my trip to heaven. The first of my preparations has already been completed, and it was quite simple… as simple as A-B-C!
- The first step was “A” – Admit I was a sinner. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That is done and checked off my list!
- The second step was “B” – Believe that Jesus is God’s Son, that He died on the cross to pay for my sins, and that He rose from the dead 3 days later. Acts 16:31 states, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” I do believe! #2 is checked off!
- The third and last step was “C” – Choose Him to be my Lord and Saviour, and Call upon Him to forgive me! Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Done! (I finished this prep for my heavenly trip in March 1968!)
- The second part of my preparation for my trip to heaven is to familiarize myself with the sights and sounds I will experience. While I don’t have a website I can visit, I do have a “brochure” that gives me a glimpse of what this heavenly destination will be like. The Bible is provides me with some insight into heaven, but my ultimate destination is clearly too amazing to be put into words that I can comprehend at this time. I do know that the beauty of earth’s most incredible places, like Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, Iguazu Falls, and others, will pale in comparison to the beauty of heaven! Just seeing my Saviour face-to-face will be the most incredible part of this trip, and then I am hoping to get a divine tour of the place!
- Travelers
- This is one trip in which I want to have as many family and friends as possible accompany me! I know the Lord desires that as well. The Bible tells me that God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Since everyone in my family is saved, I know that they will be with me. Most of my friends also are saved, but I know others who are not. So, my job is not only to share the wonderful joys of a trip to heaven with those who don’t know about it, but to also share how they can get their own reservation for the trip! Jesus gave this directive to all believers, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19). A few of the ways I do that is by sharing the gospel one-on-one, leaving a tract in a restaurant, or teaching a Sunday school class, but one of the best ways is to live a life that reflects Jesus to others! Being a living testimony speaks so much louder than my words ever will!
- The Journey
- The actual traveling time for this trip will be so quick. In fact, the Bible tells us that the departure will be as fast as the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52)! There will be two times of departure. The first will be for those believers who have died, and the second will be for the Christians who are still living. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes the departure as this: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I’m not sure at this time which one will be my designated time, but I do know that I am ready to go… just waiting for the shout and the trumpet sound!
God’s invitation to heaven is for everyone! That includes YOU! Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Let’s go!
I’m kind of homesick for a country to which I’ve never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken for time won’t matter anymore.
Beulah Land, I’m longing for you and some day on thee I’ll stand
There my home shall be eternal, Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land
(from “Beulah Land” by Squire Parsons)
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By the way, you know how when you’re on a fabulous vacation, you don’t ever want it to end? Well, this trip to heaven won’t! It is eternal! I am so ready! Are you?