What Will You Pack for Your Journey? A Reflection on Travel and Eternity

With spring and summer upon us, many of us are thinking about taking a trip or two. Some may opt for a short weekend getaway, while others may plan a longer vacation. Regardless of where you're going or how long you'll be away, one thing is certain—we all need to pack a bag.

The real question is: What will you put in your bag? Of course, you'll likely include money, a change of clothes, and a few personal items. But what you pack will ultimately determine how well-prepared you are for your journey.

While preparing for these earthly trips, it's worth considering another kind of journey—one that we will all take someday, perhaps sooner than we think: the journey to our eternal home.

Unlike our worldly travels, we won’t need to pack for eternity. No passport, no ticket, no money—nothing material will be necessary. We won’t even need a change of clothes.

As Christians, we are blessed with the promise of eternal life—an everlasting future that is literally out of this world. In John 14:3, Jesus says, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Remember, when Jesus Christ—the only begotten Son of God—died, He took nothing with Him. Not even a piece of cloth. His grave clothes were left behind in the tomb. He needed nothing from this earth.

So, as you pack your bags for your upcoming travels, don’t stress too much. Enjoy the journey, appreciate the moments, and keep your heart focused on the ultimate destination that requires no baggage at all.