#HeartForTheWord
Traveling has become a necessity in order for me to carry out the work God has given me to do. Because of that, on the one hand I can say that I love to travel. However, on that other hand, the realities of the hassles involved make traveling, well, a hassle.
For example, thanks to 911, there’s usually a substantial line at every airport’s security checkpoint through which I must navigate. There I unpack my neatly packed electronics, endure the humiliation of being compared to my driver’s license photo, and practically strip down to prove I’m not a terrorist. On the other side of the scanners, I redress and repack, and then begin my trek through the terminal to find my gate which is usually the last one down the hall. Once on the plane, I squeeze down the aisle, find my seat, stuff my carry-on into the overhead bin and my other stuff under the seat in front of me, and squeeze myself into the cramped space that will be my living quarters for the next few hours, hoping the seat next to me will either remain empty or be occupied by a thin individual who showered that morning and didn’t have garlic potato chips as a snack.
I could go on about the hassles of the flights themselves, of getting off the plane, of praying that my luggage is doing the same, and of locating the right shuttle or the person designated to pick me up from the airport, but you get the picture. I endure the hassle because the rewards of doing what I do – teach the Word of God – are worth every airport-airplane-shuttle-suitcase-security line moment.
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NIV). It was not convenient or comfortable for Jesus to give His life for us. The cross was a hassle, yet He endured it for us.
What hassle will you endure in order to carry out the call God has on your life? Whatever the hassle, endure it. Working for the Kingdom is worth every moment.
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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.
Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,
Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children
available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),
at bookstores, and on all major online book buying sites.
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk
Also still available:
Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame
from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)
A Heart for the Word: Sanewriter's Blog 
OMG! You will never know how much this message means to me. It came in perfect timing. I’m going through a hassle with the production we are doing; which premiers tonight. One of the actors didn’t show up for dress rehearsal last night, and says that she might not be there tonight. With no understudy to take her place, I have to come up with a plan in the next few hours, that will eliminate her from the play, without completely damaging the script content. Please pray. I am leaving it in God’s hands. And I’m expecting the victory.
Marie
Joy cometh in the morning.