What to take.

I recently heard from a friend of mine who joyfully walks by faith. She had considered what it might be like if she were to encounter circumstances which would require her to abandon her home & way of life, and take with her a very limited number of possessions. She gave a lot of thought to what she would take, according to her wants & needs; and made a list of those items.

Many times, since then, I have considered her words and scenario. I wonder, did she consider her mode of transportation? Would the departure from her home be on foot, driving a car, or riding a bicycle? If by foot, would she lug her possessions on her back, pull a wagon…push a cart?

While walking across America, my husband JC & I, along with our son Jacob, have carried, pushed and pulled a heavy load of possessions. We wear backpacks and push carts. We’ve hauled our belongings across hundreds of miles, and up & down steep hills and mountains.

I’ve spent hours, while walking, considering others who are away from home, carrying few or many possessions – some by choice, and some not. And, those whose lives are threatened, in the process.

• the men & women of our armed forces, fighting for freedom
• refugees, fleeing for their lives
• displaced families, suffering the effects of natural disasters
• missionaries in foreign countries, hiding, and spreading the gospel
• impoverished individuals & families, barely surviving

JC & I and Jacob have encountered some unusual people and been in some pretty unpredictable situations, but the only physical harm or injury we’ve suffered has been by accident or environment. JC & Jacob have endured many bug bites, and all 3 of us have had to push forward, with aching feet, through rainy, hot & humid Summer days. In addition, I once slipped & fell in the gravel, on the shoulder of the road, and had to go to the emergency room for stitches.

Suffering, and doing without, comes in many forms, doesn’t it?

I consider Christ’s disciples.

In the gospel of Mark, chapter 6, verses 7-9 (NASB), Jesus sent His apostles:

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— but [to] wear sandals; and [He added], “Do not put on two tunics.”

If you’re like me, when you read the above text you feel uneasy.

Why?

For me, the instruction ‘take nothing’ is very alarming. Nothing? Like, literally nothing?

Believe me, many times JC & I have contemplated taking nothing. We’ve talked about it. At length. Whenever I envision actually doing it, my thoughts always, inevitably, turn to exceptions. If my thoughts were voiced, you’d hear me ask: “What about my umbrella? If I don’t carry it, I’ll get a sunburn. What about my contact lens holder & solution? I have to take out my contacts at night. Could I, at least, carry my toothbrush?!”…What about my water bottle?

(Sigh). I don’t know how they (the followers of Jesus) did it.

If we turn a couple of pages, over to Mark chapter 8, we hear Jesus speaking not only to His disciples, but to the crowd also:

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:34-38 NASB

I, Melanie, do not have all the answers, but by the grace of God I’ve learned some things from my experiences. In some ways, I can relate to the apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:12, when he said: ‘I have learned to get along with humble means, and also lived in prosperity; I have had abundance and suffered need.’

In the living & active word of God, and the teachings of His Son Jesus, I find the answers I need for life, and life eternal. In this, I rejoice.

What Scriptures influence you to re-examine your walk with Christ?

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
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