travel lightly

When I think of being a disciple of Jesus in this world I think of the phrase “travel lightly.” When Jesus sent his disciples out on a training run, he takes this literally.

9"Don't take any money with you. 10Don't carry a traveler's bag with an extra coat and sandals or even a walking stick. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. 11Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy man and stay in his home until you leave for the next town.”

When you study the model of Jesus and his disciples, I don’t think we are called to be them, but rather like them. The same model of character, integrity, commitment, passion, and urgency. Not necessarily you are to go out preaching from town to town living on other people’s hospitality. Now, this may be your call, but it is not a general call for all disciples. We aren’t all called to be fishermen, either. Though trying it out can be fun.

Traveling lightly in life is a model we can follow, however. Not getting too caught up in any human cause or interest that can take away from our primary focus on Jesus and living in his Kingdom now. When you look at the big picture, you see traveling lightly is the best view of reality.

This is why prayer is so powerful. Prayer connects us to the creator and sustainer of the universe and all that exists and it connects us to the needs of the world. We wash the world with our prayers and we go about living the Kingdom life and we become an irresistible influence in a world crying out in despair. We answer with ourselves and the hope Jesus brings through us.