All My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go...

As you should know, in mid-July, we will be taking a group down to New Orleans for this summer’s LCMS National Youth Gathering.  This is going to be an incredible trip for all who attend—a spiritual mountaintop experience. We will join with about 20,000 of our closest Lutheran friends, from all over the country and other parts of the world. Please keep us in your prayers.  We will have a total of 35 people in our group, from 8 different LCMS churches in the area (15 from KOK). Our congregation is leading the charge, organizing the trip.  As you might imagine, it can be a bit overwhelming and stressful to plan a trip for 35 people.  For the last several weeks these efforts have amped up. Flight changes. Airport Shuttles.  Budgets and Payments. Dinner reservations. Daily excursions. Hotel room assignments. Trip Itineraries. Packing Lists… etc., etc.  After months and years of planning and preparation, we are in the homestretch.  Only 35 days to go!  In no time at all, we will be headed with our fingers crossed to Newark Airport, hoping for the best.  The excitement boosts for sure; but the anxiety does also. Have I packed everything? What did I forget? Do I have Real ID?  Do I have anything taken care of? How bad will the delays be at Newark?
 
Anyone who has ever planned a trip, or a vacation, knows this stress.  It doesn’t matter if you have a group of 35 people, a small family of 4, or your road tripping solo.  Vacations are supposed to be a relaxing event. No one would spend the time and money associated with such an adventure thinking it would be more stressful to experience than their day-to-day lives. Yet studies have unsurprisingly shown that trip planning is the most stressful aspect of the vacation, followed by travel to the destination.  No matter the size of your group or the destination of your choosing, you do whatever you can to make sure you have every detail correct. Fill out the paperwork. Cross the ‘t’s’ and dot the ‘i’s.’  Make sure every part of your trip is thought about and planned for.  No surprises or uncertainties. 
 
How wonderful it is then, that our journey towards heaven involves no such work or effort on our part. No need to plan for heaven. No arrangements to make. No financial burden hanging over our head. It’s already done. All of it. Taken care of and paid for by our Savior.  In John 14:2-3, we hear Jesus say, “In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”  Jesus promises His followers that, no matter the troubles or burdens of this world, our final place of rest is with Him.  In the gates of heaven, we can put up our feet and have no concerns or worries.  All of the travel arrangements—all the planning and timing and details—have been taken care of. They are already worked out. We have nothing to fear. No need for worry.  No need hidden payments.  Jesus has purchased our place by His blood. He has secured the destination and sealed our travel documents through the waters of our baptism.  No stress. Thank you, Jesus!