Journey…AKA: Holiday, Vacation, Explore, Trip, Adventure, Long drive, Road trip….
What is the emotion that is sparked when we prepare and think about going away on holiday? There seems to be a common excitement amongst all of us as we set off for a short break or a long voyage. In our mind’s eye we imagine a better experience, some excitement, rest, happiness, celebration. With emotions such as these being stirred up, it makes you think … Is that a glimpse of the Kingdom?
Whether or not we end up having a thoroughly good experience while we’re away on vacation is beyond the point. The point, or the idea that I’m getting at, is that we seem to promise ourselves a good time on vacation. “I’m going to have a great week away”, “I can’t wait to go nuts on this holiday”, “I’m looking forward to a relaxing time”. We even wish it on others even if we are not going away ourselves, “Have a great time”, “Enjoy yourself”, or “Bring me back something nice” is always a common one - suggesting that the person you are wishing well, is somehow going to another realm where “nice things” are flowing in abundance, like treasure waiting to be found and brought back.
When we project these joyous thoughts onto our near-future vacations, are we activating some sort of innate, built-in, God-given ability to ‘glimpse’ the Kingdom? Is this the part of us that God imprinted on our minds, the very notion of a place where He resides and reigns? Does there exist a level of consciousness that allows us to envisage the comfort and expectation of a better place; the promise of paradise?
Peter talks about the promise of paradise in the following scripture…
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” - 2 Peter 3:13 NIV
It is also interesting to note that Peter mentions earlier in this chapter, that he wrote both his letters (to God’s elect) as reminders to “stimulate you to wholesome thinking”. It appears Peter was trying to activate and stir up something wholesome in us. He was looking forward it seems, projecting joyous thoughts.
Maybe he was glimpsing what he knew was his near-future vacation, a place where righteousness dwells… The Kingdom of God.
