A Safe Journey

A time of travel is again approaching. We certainly realize that not everyone has a desire to travel, and some are not able to do so. Still, to distance ourselves from our daily tasks and cares for longer or shorter periods of time can be beneficial.

We should notice, however, that, for young and old among us, the coming weeks are not without dangers and temptations. There are dangers from without, but we must also not minimize the dangers from within. The all-knowing Searcher of the hearts says in His Word, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23). Dangers do not come upon us only from without, but the circumstances around us certainly increase the temptations. With that in mind, it is understandable that we look up against the coming weeks with hesitation and concern. There are unfortunately also reasons for this concern.

Away from everything?

Away from our daily environment, away from our usual daily routine, away from everything that is common and customary—indeed, where do we draw the line? It is these boundaries that we would like to consider before we and our children go on vacation. In these days our hearts are filled with the desire that our boundaries be removed or become indistinct. Do we realize this sufficiently? We mean especially those boundaries which the Lord has so clearly revealed in His Word: the boundaries between the church and the world, between His day and the other days of the week, between good and evil, between husband and wife, and the like.

It is in this way that we wish you a safe journey. It is not our purpose to prescribe a lengthy set of rules. We do not wish to do so, nor may we do so. However, we do want to impress upon your consciences the standards that the Lord has revealed for us in His unchangeable Testimony. Then, when faced with situations that arise, we may set the boundaries where God's Word has set them, and not go our own way in the coming weeks by making all kinds of compromises. Then it will certainly not be a safe journey, but the contrary.

Two of the fifty-two

As parents, we should also be consistent in conversation and example. That which is not allowed at home should not be allowed on vacation either. Otherwise we will undermine and break down what we have tried to uphold in the rest of the year, albeit with many shortcomings.

How necessary it is that we keep in mind in all of our activities that all of us are, at all times, on a journey that will take place only once, namely, our life's journey, which will never be repeated. It is that journey to our eternal destination, as we find mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12, “Because man goeth to his long home” (verse 5), and concluding with, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (verses 13 and 14). May the realization of this be evident in our daily life, also when we are away from home, and may the seriousness of it define our walk of life.

Rest

May the Lord grant us to seek rest and to find it where it alone is to be found, that is, at His throne of grace, at the feet of the great Giver of rest, who invites and draws those weary and heavy laden with their guilt and lost condition. Such rest we wish for you from the bottom of our heart. Outside of that rest the heart remains restless, and the eye is never satisfied. Rest in God through Christ is something that cannot be missed.

It was our desire to bind these thoughts on your hearts before you begin your travels. May the Lord also remember those who remain at home, in whatever circumstances they may be, but especially those with difficulties and concerns. They are also traveling life's journey.

May the Lord protect us in the way that we shall go, and it is our heartfelt prayer for you, “The Lord bless you and keep you.” For all of you, young or old, whether at home or away, we commend you to God!

— Translated from the Saambinder

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