As the time of my departure for Italy (March 9) with my granddaughter draws nearer, I find myself bombarded with the what ifs
connected with any unknown adventure. I observe myself attempting to do anything and everything possible to make this a pleasant experience for the both of us. I’ve bought her a hair dryer and hair straightener with dual voltage, purchased our euros and set aside any number of other things I think she may want to take along. I will be joining her tomorrow for our final preparations.
I felt fairly peaceful about it all. Then I got a phone call last night learning that she wants to buy all sorts of things and definitely won’t have room for them in her luggage. Knowing her, I’m fairly sure she won’t even have room for what she wants to take with her. Having traveled abroad for years and not enjoying wrestling with heavy suitcases, I have learned to travel light and am therefore taking only one carry-on, though I am entitled to a piece of checked baggage as well. Now comes the issue of what to take along for her to bring home her purchases in.
I found my sleep disturbed as I pondered the imponderables. I knew that I couldn’t reason it all out, that I must get quiet inside and listen (see One Thing Is Needful). This morning I heard the Voice of the Holy Spirit inside me speaking this Scripture:
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
I knew that the Holy Spirit had led me into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (my carnal mind with all its fears) as He did Jesus (Matthew 4:1) (see The Temptations of Jesus) so that I could put those fears behind me as I made the choice for Life that Paul made —and wrote about in the Scripture quoted above.
I knew for a certainty that if I were to enter and remain in a place of peace during this trip, I would have to become divinely indifferent
or, as I heard one minister put it, have a holy I don’t care
attitude about the whole thing. I understood that it has to cease to matter to me whether or not my granddaughter has the perfect vacation, whether she is happy with me or not, whether we are cold or hot, thirsty or not. I have to take no thought
(Matthew 6:25) (as Jesus instructed) about what we are to eat or wear or about whether or not we are taking what we think we need. I must once again realize, as Jesus did, that I can of mine own self do nothing
(John 5:30) and let the government of my life rest upon His shoulder (see Government of My Life.}
In other words, I must, like Paul, place no value whatsoever (see Underdone Burgers and What Is Your Giant?) on anything (including the success
of this trip and my relationship with my granddaughter) except to know Christ Jesus, my Lord.
Everything else I must count but dung.
These are strong words, but there is no other way to pursue peace.
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
It is indeed evil
to be troubled about many things
as Martha was; to do good
I must, like Mary, choose the good part
(Luke 10:38-42) by counting every single one of those many things
as dung
that I might know Him
(Philippians 3:10), the only true God and Jesus Christ
(John 17:3) who was sent by God into the world and into our hearts that we might understand that we too are sons of God:
Galatians 4:6 ( And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
When that knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord
(Philippians 3:8) (that intimacy with my Father) is what I want and all I want, my mind will no longer be troubled about many things;
it will rather remain in perfect peace
because it is stayed,
not on the many things,
but rather on my Father, God —in whom is all my trust:
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.