Take nothing with you on the trip

When the plane landed on a rocky runway, they found themselves in the Masai Mara, Kenya. A native welcomed them and loaded their luggage into a Land Rover. They set off for a two-day camp. Along the way, they stopped to watch zebras and wildebeest migrating from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti. The guide explained that these huge herds travel together because zebras have excellent eyesight but poor sense of smell, and wildebeest have poor eyesight but a very good sense of smell. This means that when they stick together, they are less vulnerable. 

Kenya has many such examples of God’s wisdom. God created animals with different strengths and weaknesses. It is the same with humans. He created us to be dependent not only on him but also on one another. The apostle Paul discusses this idea in his letter to the church in Corinth. As members of the body of Christ, we have different gifts and abilities. The church is healthy only when we work together, care for one another, and each uses their abilities for mutual benefit. Together we will go much further than we would go alone.

Because of this danger, Christ sends the apostles. “Take nothing for the journey.” The only thing that can ensure and help the apostles is his word.

The Nobel Prize is awarded every year to those people who have made an exceptional contribution—economists, physicists, writers, doctors, scientists, and people striving for peace and tranquility. When someone receives the Nobel Prize, they receive the highest recognition for many years of education, work, professional growth, and sacrifices. What are these people willing to undergo? We Christians desire to influence the world spiritually. But I ask, what is the source of the spiritual influence of our ministry?

If we want to impact people in the name of Jesus Christ, what do we need to invest in? The early followers of Christ were profoundly influenced by spending time with Jesus. The Jewish religious leaders recognized this. In Acts 4:13, it says, “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ordinary men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Courses and education are valuable additions to serving Christ, but nothing can replace time spent in His presence. He is the only source of spiritual influence in our lives and the lives of believers. If we are to master our service to the Lord, let us spend time with the Master.