What are your travel essentials?

Psalm 63 reveals a few essentials for our daily travels around the planet Earth. This world is not our home, so it is wise to pack some items to make the journey a little easier.

• Water bottle
• Charging Cord
• Snacks, My Singing Voice, and a Travel Pillow
• Velcro Straps

Am I at peace with God? We may mentally assent to this, but do we do salvation by bookkeeping? When we try to rebuild our own sense of worthiness, we nullify the grace of God.

-The Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams, Bishop of New England

Recently, I had an opportunity to hear Bishop Andrew Williams speak at the Anglican Leadership Institute at a camp on Martha’s Vineyard. The first week of this intensive training focused on spiritual self-care. As leaders, Bishop Andrew challenged us, “To know Jesus, to know who Jesus really is, to know Him more.”

Psalm 63 echoes a similar message.

1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

(Psalm 63:1 ESV)

A Water Bottle for My Soul

Bishop Andrew’s question, “Am I at peace with God?” struck me quite profoundly during my time away at the Institute.

Do I seek the Lord regularly, earnestly, and as if my life depended upon it?

Or do I try to ride out into the “dry and weary land” where I currently reside and get by with no water for my soul? Psalm 63 clearly states how dry and weary this land I inhabit is.

While I would never travel far from home without my refillable water bottle, how often do I deprive my soul of much-needed spiritual water?

Watering my soul involves embracing the grace of God, given generously at significant cost to Jesus. Taking time daily to review these truths reminds me of who I belong to and why. Drinking down cups of living water from God’s word is what truly quenches my soul.

These practices keep me at peace with God.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

(Psalm 63:2-3 ESV)

A Charging Cord

Beholding God’s power

Beholding God’s glory

To behold is to look at and pay attention. Something changes inside me when I notice God’s power and glory. When I slow down long enough to truly take it all in.

If I forget to plug in my cell phone overnight, I am not surprised when I find my battery is low.

Do I remember to recharge my soul? Or do I wait until I find myself depleted?

A phone charging cord causes power to flow from the power outlet into my phone. It forms the vital link that transfers the essential power into the device. I could put my phone near the outlet. I could even plug in the charger to my phone; however, no charge will be received if the charging cord isn’t plugged into the power outlet.

I must spend time in God’s sanctuary with local believers focused on God’s power and glory. Attending church on Sunday refills my depleted soul. Somehow, doing this in a community amplifies the experience in a way that is hard to explain. Perhaps it is like hearing a song on the radio versus attending a live concert. A Sunday morning service soaks down into my soul.

When I acknowledge God’s steadfast love, a love capable of sticking by my side, I am set free from what Bishop Williams refers to as “salvation by bookkeeping.” I will never do enough to earn God’s love and acceptance. When I strive, my default setting, I attempt to nullify my desperate need for God’s grace. Accepting His steadfast love is better than life because a life of striving will destroy me.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

(Psalm 63:4-7 ESV)

Singing, Snacking, and Sleeping 

My soul is designed to be maintained with daily singing, regular meals, and rest. It’s the ultimate soul maintenance plan.

Singing, a mood booster, allows me to praise God, reach out, and be up to Him in new ways. My voice is raised, my arms follow, and I am ushered into the Lord’s presence.

Reading, digesting, and sharing the word of God keeps my soul satisfied and my brain engaged. If I do this every day, then in the middle of the night, I can recall God’s promises. In the darkness, He lights a night light of reassurance that allows me to sleep. Sleep is the ultimate surrender and reminder that God is in control. I can lay my weary head on my travel pillow and know that God watches over me each night.

I can rest in the shadow of His wings and sing myself to sleep.

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

(Psalm 63:8-11 ESV)

Velcro

How do I ensure my soul clings to God?

God promises His right hand will uphold me. He uses supernatural Velcro to help me stay attached and supported by Him. It is not all up to me.

When I travel, I often use various Velcro products to hold my things together, seal packing cubes, and bind up cords and cables to prevent tangling.

I can use Velcro to stick God’s promises into my heart and mind by memorizing them, writing them on index cards, and listening to them read to me.

I must actively repeat God’s truth and cling to it because the world overflows with contrary messages.

The good news, worthy of rejoicing over, is what Bishop Andrew shared in the final part of his talk.

“Jesus cuts the tape of accusation that is playing on a loop. The Lord breathes His love into each of us.”

Prayer

Lord, as I travel through this dry and weary land, you are my guide and provider. Thank you for your living water, recharging power, soul food, rest, upholding right hand, and love breathed into me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.