What follows is my take on a spiritual travel advisory for believers.This scripture from Romans framed a recent devotional that garnered an unusual number of responses, so it is included in its entirety below.
“What does Scripture convey? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.‘ “
Romans 4:3
Traveled by plane lately? Be aware of the changes. Our family recently went coast to coast, full face masks the entire way, and we experienced the COVID19 impact.
- You will notice less people are traveling, but the lines are slower.
- Your kids still get hungry, but most of the airport food shops are closed.
- You have to wear a mask, but faces behind masks get itchy (and people get grumpy).
Make time for reflection
This morning, candidly, I’m reflecting on more than the external changes to travel. I admit: I am a different traveller than in years past because there are internal changes happening within me. I am irritable, unaware of my discomfort, and quick to convey visible signs of exasperation when going through the airport experience. There is nobody to blame, so these manifestations pass along to people who are doing their jobs (keeping us safe, getting us to our destinations, answering our questions).
There is a truth seminary teachers convey to students preparing for ministry, “People in your churches often take their frustrations out on you.” It’s the same for teachers, police officers, and people in service oriented businesses. People in certain jobs get the brunt of our emotional pain because we do not have outlets to vent/decompress/express our feelings.
So now I am adding to the list, “airport workers.” They are easy to pick on because they are in positions of authority, they often convey bad news, and we have expectations of good service that are sometimes not rational. Machines break, flights get delayed, climate in other parts of the country impact airports. And so on.
Add to those uncertainties the added irritations of traveling during a quarantine, and it’s easy to anticipate how people will take their frustrations out on others.
Consider this: “How might I respond as a believer in this season of stress?”
Have you searched your heart before the Lord lately? Be encouraged to know God is merciful, just, slow to anger, and understanding of the human condition. And God wants others to connect with Holy Spirit through your personal manifestation of “being righteous” in Christ. Take a moment and analyze where you are having a tough time, and admit this to the Lord. Ask for a heart that is open to healing, a mind open to learning, and a spirit aligned to the Lord’s will.
There is something for believers to consider from today’s passage in Romans: righteousness. When we are right with God (righteous) as described in Scripture, we have something more than comfort in knowing our eternal destination. We also have Holy Spirit working to make us blessings to others in this lifetime. One aspect of this spiritual upgrade involves a connection to God that improves our mental well-being. And right now, everybody is under duress.
This advisory is for more than plane trips
And this travel advisory applies to more than physical trips. Recently my wife joined a Zoom meeting with parents and school administrators – parent tempers are short. It’s ugly. And ugliness has the potential to spread pain and nastiness from person to person.
“So remember: you will run into folks who have been on the receiving end of irritable people, and they’ve had enough. You will encounter people who have received bad news about their work, finances, or future prospects. And you may also be manifesting a tendency to short-temperedness, irritability and grumpiness due to the circumstances we are all living into.”
Give yourself some space to hear forgiveness extended to you from the Lord. He died to overcome sin. God calls sinners to experience reconciliation, forgives those who repent, and transforms the people of God on a daily basis.
How are you extending healing connections with people today?. And let us pray for extra reserves of grace, serving as agents of soothing relief for hurting people around us.
Traveling is not the same, but neither is just about anything else, either. And everybody in service industries is getting an earful of complaints, concerns and pointed conversations.
Be righteous. Be gracious. And remember we are all following Jesus and in need of a spiritual travel advisory – it’s a tough time for everybody!
Know you are forgiven, and know the Lord wants to bring healing through you.
From a forgiven sinner, with gratitude,
Pastor Dr Bryan Stamper
P.S. I post daily devotionals every day, all year. Feel free to get on the list – SUBSCRIBE HERE.
More articles from Pastor Bryan – What I learned from Ken & Margie Blanchard
Some videos with answers to common faith questions – Ask Bryan Videos