School is starting. This means the daily chase is on, again. Recognize all that happens in your travels are superintended by the hand of God. Each traffic light that works, each car that passes by, each person you meet on your journey is part of the decreed will of God for your life. Mobility has become a routine part of life. School schedules, soccer practice, music lessons, field trips, vacations, and a myriad of other events require mobility. Today this mobility has become routine.
This is huge. Occasionally, you will hear someone ask for God’s protection for travel for a really long trip. But when was the last time that you heard a prayer request for travel to and from music lessons or soccer practice? A request for such a ‘routine” event seems out of place. Yet, this is precisely what God tells us to do. James warns us not to take any travel or plans as routine. All things happen according to God’s will (James 4:13-17).
In this passage the Holy Spirit makes an unsettling statement about a casual attitude towards mobility and planning. God must be considered when plans are made for travel, whatever the duration and objective. When this does not happen, sin is committed.
This is a serious consideration! In this light, all travel plans are included from the quick trip to the grocery store to a long vacation or business trip.
The danger of the routine is that we think that God is not needed for the routine – only for the really special events. The fact is that we are totally dependent upon God for everything. Yet we are just like the 5 year old that protests he doesn’t need any help crossing the street.
Mobility brings the temptation to think we operate independently of God’s care. Busy schedules and tight deadlines crowd out thoughts of the Sovereign Lord. But he is there.
Acknowledge God for who he is to yourself, your family and the people you come into contact with. It doesn’t take a long theological discourse to acknowledge God’s Providence. All it takes is saying “okay kids, God willing it is time to go to practice.”
