I started down this road in January and left it vague as far as saying directly that this (Road Trip) is our theme for the summer. I did that for a few reasons and the fact that I wanted to spend two months talking about it is the most true I suppose. I want to spend this month thinking out loud (on paper) about the essentials of a great Road Trip and how they will or do apply to your time at camp and in community. I started down this road some in January, but I want to expand on some of these ideas. - Every Road Trip Needs Directions: o I was driving the church van down the mountain from the ski lodge and Joe was riding shotgun. Joe was a funny kid and had an even funnier voice if that makes sense. You could spot Joe by his voice from anywhere around because NO ONE sounded like him. Anyhow, Joe was looking down at my atlas and asked what highway we were on. I told him and he stared frantically looking up, down at the map, up, down at the map, and up again. After a few minutes of this I started laughing and asked him what he was looking at. He responded that on the map it looked like the highway was straight but the road was really winding around so he was confused and thought we were on the wrong road. Fortunately, I knew where we were and how to get down without looking directly at the map or listening to the “navigator” riding shotgun at the time. o Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you...” Sometimes the map can get confusing if we are looking up and down too much, but if the word of Christ is rich in your life you’ll be able to stay the course. Sometimes the map needs to be written on your heart rather than fumbling around for it while you drive. - Every Road Trip Needs Friends: o There is no question in my mind that the best road trips have happened in the company of great friends. I have traveled a lot by myself and value my time alone and with God, but when I get into the car (planned or unplanned) with friends something magical seems to happen. Fellowship and community are essential in my life and sometimes there is no better sense of community than when you travel with someone. o John 21:3 says, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will also come with you’...” Jesus had it figured out better than we do and he apparently taught His disciples something that we see in this verse (our theme verse). There is no doubt Jesus could have done this all on His own, but he chose to have fellowship and community along the way. In the same way, when Peter talks about this fishing trip the other guys want to come along because they knew the value in being together. Sometimes we need to put ourselves with people in order to receive the full blessing God is giving. - Every Road Needs Snacks: o There are few times in my travels where you won’t find a bag of Omas Choice Beef Jerky and a bag of Sunflower Seeds in my car. Once it gets dark outside my beverage will transform from Pepsi to coffee. If I happen to be traveling I35 (usually not) then I will almost always stop in West, TX, at the Czech Bakery for a few Spicy Hot Chubbies. There is something about snacking along the road that gets you through the trip no matter how tired you are. I’ve squeezed another 2 hours of drive time out of a Mountain Dew and an Alsups burrito on many a ski trip overnight drives. o Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” In our journey as Christ followers we need snacks along the way...little nuggets or pearls that encourage us and get us through the day. As we long for the righteousness of Christ in our lives we will be satisfied on our journey. - Every Road Tripee Needs Identification: o As I have traveled along in my life I have realized the importance of keeping identification handy. You can’t get through the airport without it. You can’t leave the country without it. You can get a ticket if you don’t have it. In the case of a passport you can get proof of where you have been. Identification is essential to our journey. o Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ...” We are identified as royalty, as children of the King, as children of God, as heirs with Christ. That is our true self and we deny that in the way that we live too often. As followers of Christ, our identity needs to stay handy because it not only can get us through situations, but it tells of where we have been and where our journey will end. You are a child of God. As you prepare your heart for this summer, for “Road Trip”, make sure you pack the essentials for the journey. We are excited about what else God will teach us together, through the campers and through each other, about our lives with Him. Blessings for the trip ahead and know we are praying for your safety between now and camp.