European Tours You Can't Pass Up

Sounds inviting, doesn’t it? I was a bit envious when a friend related her recent European tour. She described some delightful details. But the best part was that this great escapade was her husband’s surprise birthday gift. “The only thing is,” she said, “was that the trips from city to city required long bus rides.”

I know the feeling. The few times I rode in a bus going from point A to point B were endless, boring, hugely monotonous, and fatiguing. I could say I don’t know why, but I do know—unable to see the scenery out the windows, the humming of the engine quickly grew so incredibly dull, completely tedious actually.

But, I figured out the solution. As always, when the eyes don’t work, the hearing compensates quite nicely. I’ll slip my earphones on and settle on the seat to listen to my favorite books. Then the trip takes on a new experience—bearable, pleasant, and even enjoyable. The focus changes and each stop along the road brings renewed enthusiasm knowing the destination is getting closer.

No different was my journey on the bus of suffering chugging along to find the destination called “peace.” I’d embarked hoping it would be a short ride, quick, and uneventful. Not so. The ride proved fatiguing at times, anxiety hovering about, impatience jabbed at me, and the coveted destination seemed farther than I was willing to accept.

What saved me once again was my hearing—listening to God’s Word, cheering me on, offering spiritual nourishment along the way, producing in me fuel for the journey.

Paul must have ridden the same bus through Europe and tons of other places. As he suffered through it all, he journaled: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:2-5).

At this very moment, you might be on that bus, humming along the road of anticipation—expecting, waiting for that something, that someone to come along, that situation to be resolved, or that next step to be taken. The journey might seem dreadful but, I invite you to take a sip of Paul’s advice, a bite of endurance, and a long gulp of God’s promise. Brush off that fretting, toss out worry and shrug off fear of the rough turns. The destination is on the horizon—the flag of victory awaits. And once there, you can wave it high in the air. Peace now abounds and best of all, your character shines rich with diligent perseverance, ability to endure, and with a wealth of abundant hope to equip you for the next journey.

One last thought: While we focus on the altitude of the destination, God watches our attitude during the journey.

Janet

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“Life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control. Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you.”

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Janet Perez Eckles
Inspiration in the midst of a hurried world:
www.janetperezeckles.com
Inspiraciön en medio de un mundo apresurado.