How are you with packing? I hate it. I put everything onto the spare bed and I dither. How hot will it be -- or cold? It can rain, even in hot climates, so do I pack a waterproof?
My heart is always in my mouth as I head for the check-in. Even though I’ve weighed my case before we’ve left home, I can’t be sure that the scales will agree and the rules are rigid: one case to go in the hold and one to ‘carry on’. If you have the wrong weight or the wrong-sized bag, there is a special area for unpacking and discarding things. How embarrassing … and where do the unwanted items go?
I had a nightmare before my last trip! I dreamed that I was at a familiar Conference Centre and it was time to go home, but my belongings had mysteriously multiplied during the week and it was obvious that there was no way I could jam it all into the suitcase and carry–on that I had brought with me.
‘I need another case’ I muttered frantically, but I realised, even as I said it that I couldn’t carry another case, and the lift to the ground floor was small, so I’d never get my new bag downstairs.
‘You don’t need another case’ God whispered. You just need a rucksack. Travel light!”
Jesus definitely belonged to the ‘travel light’ school of thought. When he sent the 12 apostles out on their first Mission trip he gave them very precise instructions.
‘Go to this group but not that one. Spend time with this kind of person but don’t fight to be popular. Don’t weigh yourself down with a lot of ‘stuff’. Don’t worry about money. Allow others to support and help you, and to supply your needs where it is necessary.’ Matt. 10.
How would you interpret travelling light as a writer? Why not consider some of these:
Know your audience – they call them tribes these days – and write for them: don’t flit from blog to blog or topic to topic.
Know where God has put you and fulfil his calling to you there.
Support others but allow them to minister to you in their turn.
Don’t let money be your prime motivation. You don’t need every electronic gadget known to man!
And be sure that you are carrying one underlying message – which can be expressed in a thousand different ways. ‘The Kingdom of God is near.’
Marion Stroud lives in Bedford, England. She is an established and popular author and sought-after speaker whose books have been translated into 14 languages. Visit her website or search for her name on Amazon.com for further information.
Sorry this went up late, Marion! Thank you so much for this challenging message. Now to put it into practice! Welcome as a first-time devotional writer on ICFW. I'm sure others will agree we hope it won't be the last!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the opportunity Shirl.
DeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteThanks for this great reminder, Marion and Shirley. I find it's so easy to get pulled this way and that in this writing journey and even feel jealous of others, rather than stick to what God has called and gifted me to do. And in the end, God's kingdom sure is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteOh I so identify with your packing dilemma and check-in fears, I could have written the exact same words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your spot-on insights into travelling light.
I look forward to reading more of your devotions.
Yes, I think we can all identify with the travelling illustration. I once attended a writers conference in the USA taking with me one 32 kg suitcase not quite full. In those days I was allowed 2 X 32 kg cases but didn't see the need, nor could I imagine how I would cope.
ReplyDeleteWell, I had to learn fast - I was GIVEN exactly 32 kgs of writing books to bring back to South Africa.