Thursday, January 19, 2017

HAVE JEWELS, WILL TRAVEL

In Genesis 24:61, we read: “Then Rebekah and her maids arose and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.”

“How long did it take for them to travel back home, Grandfather?”

“Scholars say the journey from Hebron, where Abraham lived, to the city of Haran, took seventeen days. Seventeen days there, seventeen days back.”

“By camelback?” Timmy tilted his head. “No air conditioning, out in the hot sun. Wow. Think anyone got sick?”

“Scripture doesn’t say but can you imagine what Rebekah thought on that long dry dusty trip back to Hebron?” Timmy looked at Grandfather, shook his head.

“I’m glad it wasn’t me. Grandfather? Why’re you looking at me?”

“Imagine with me a moment. Tired, ready for the trip to be over, Rebecca reaches into her pocket. In her hands, the jewels, cool to her touch, sparkle as the sunlight hits them. They are real. I’m on a journey. My bridegroom will be waiting for me. He sent me these jewels as a token of his love. She returns them to her pocket, sits straighter on the rocking camel, smiles. I believe. All is well.”

“Why do you think it happened like that, Grandfather?”

“We’ve been given gifts, jewels, for our journey.”

“Jewels? Journey?” Timmy looked at Grandfather who nodded.

“As we journey through life, our Lord gives us gifts to use to bless others. The trip becomes difficult. We get tired and weary. So like Rebecca, we take out our jewels, hold them in our hand and when the light hits them, we remember we’re on a journey. Haven’t reached our destination yet.” He smiled. “You’re one of my jewels, Timmy.”

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus provides us with jewels for the journey. He uses circumstances and pain to remind us to pull out our jewels and hold them up to the light. Forgiveness. Love. Hope. Jewels to share with the hurting. He promises never to leave nor forsake us and He loves us with an everlasting love. Would you like to be a part of His jewel collection? He loves you.