The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)
EACH SUMMER FAMILIES spend time packing, planning, unpacking, sightseeing, repacking, and then heading home. Family vacations are a great tradition and often loaded with activity. There is a tight schedule to keep so as not to miss a thing. There are only so many vacation days to use, so not a minute can be wasted. We want to make every day count.
After being set apart by the Holy Spirit to travel, Barnabas and Saul were also sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. Although the cities where they stopped are mentioned, the cities themselves and their tourist attractions were not the point of this first missionary journey. Rather, the people in these cities and their eternal destinies provided the purpose for this trip.
In a sense, we are all on our own missionary journey, even when we are not traveling. As believers, the Lord has sent us on our way also, to the places where we live, work, and worship. But it’s not these physical places that are the point of our journey; it is the people we encounter there. People around us need Jesus Christ and His saving power. God’s plan for making disciples includes sending us, by the Holy Spirit, to reach those around us. On this journey, too, we want to make every day count.
Pray for the people around you who need a Savior.
Rachel Schmoyer is a mom of four and pastor’s wife who enjoys cooking from scratch with ingredients from a local organic farm.
