PASSPORT

 

 

 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8, 9

 

 

 

I’ll be leaving for Spain in a few days.  One of our clergymen will be ordained at a church in Madrid, and several of us are going to represent our churches.  As always, I go down the check list of what I need for an international trip:  clothes, meds, reading material, and most important of all MY PASSPORT.

 

One of our missioners had spent months raising funds for a mission in Russia and was so excited to be making his first visit.  He was all packed and ready.  He was on time to meet the team at the counter, but when it was his time to check in, he discovered that he was lacking that important document:  he had left his passport at home, and there wasn’t time to get it and return for the flight.  Some things just can’t be overlooked.

 

Salvation is a little like a passport.  It’s that assurance that we get to our destination.  We can apply for the passport, but there’s no way we can earn it—it’s relational.  We get our passports by virtue of being citizens of this country, and we trust that the standing of our government is such that we have safe passage.

 

I’m so happy that I don’t have to worry about whether I’m good enough or whether I’ve done enough.  Jesus, in his perfect obedience and love of the Father, made provision for my journey and for my final welcome.  He’s even provided for companionship on the way and grace for the turbulence.  We don’t have to worry about losing baggage—in fact, we’re better off without any.

 

I’ll be leaving for Spain in a few days, and my passport is already sitting beside my suitcase.

 

 

 

Father, we are eternally grateful for your divine generosity in providing everything we will ever need through Christ Jesus.  AMEN.