“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:1-3

Recently, my daughter made reservations at a hotel across from the hospital where her husband was to receive open-heart surgery. This reservation was an important one because she would need to stay there during the time of his hospitalization. Since, his parents would be joining her, she had reserved a kitchen suite through an online travel agency, where she was somehow rerouted , in her online search. When she arrived at the hotel, they had no record of her upgraded online reservation and the only room available was less than adequate. Therefore, she requested a refund. Their reply was they could not be responsible for any third party reservations; therefore she received no compensation.

In contrast, I have a friend who is meticulous, looking into every detail concerning each trip he makes. He is one step ahead in contacting the hotel directly, knowing the location, the accommodations and the best way to travel to and fro while navigating his way around.
He leaves nothing to chance nor would allow anyone to make his travel arrangements without thoroughly looking into it himself.

Of course, it is always possible to get hotel and travel accommodations without any preparation or plans. Some, have boasted of the impromptu desire to travel and just hit the road, with everything going their way. But, if you were to travel abroad, thousands of miles from home, “Would you seriously want to risk it?”

On my recent trip to Boston, I was looking forward to touring the city while my husband attended his scheduled conference. I had done this with a lot of success while accompanying him on his previous conference trips in popular big cities such as Seattle and San Francisco.

I am not gifted with a wonderful sense of direction, and rely heavily on getting directions from either my IPhone, a google map or the hotel’s concierge. Usually all of the above. On this particular trip, I was especially looking forward to visiting the historical areas in South Boston.

After talking with the concierge and purchasing a hop on and off “Trolley” ticket, I thought to ask, “where exactly do I go to get on this tour”?
The concierge, pointed in an unspecified direction, saying,” just go out the front of the hotel and turn left, its at the Westin hotel, just five minutes away”. She made it sound so simple, I didn’t dare ask for further guidance. Piece a cake. Right? Not!

The arrow on my electronic map was spending like a top as I attempted to follow along the highlighted path. Finally, I asked a gentleman nearby how to get to the hotel. He was pointing to a pedestrian walk over which appeared to me in the opposite direction. So, I ignored his advice and headed to what appeared to be the more direct route. I soon realized why he suggested the walk-over as each crossing became more hazardous than the last… Finally, I crossed the street just in time to see the Trolley whizzing away. Still, not sure, I was at the right location, I asked the Valet parking attendant if the Trolley picked up there. He assured me it did and so I proceeded to wait another 30 minutes before the next one arrived. When I got on, the driver said he didn’t need to see my ticket, mentioning, he would only be with us for a short while, at which caused further anxiety as I wondered why. Then, as he approached the first stop, he announced he was following the “Seaport” route. According to my map, this was the optional route with only four stops. He said he wasn’t stopping at the next historical site on our map, and if any of us wanted to go there, we could get off now and walk the short distance. So, not quite knowing what to do, I made a quick decision, hopped off, figuring, I could find my way..

On my map the historical sites in the area boasted free entrance to a new wax museum, so I began walking, having no idea how I would find it. After a few failed attempts, I finally decided to ask some hurried tourists. They said, they really didn’t know, so I approached two tour booths for directions, while pointing to some obscure location, they said, “ it’s just behind the buildings over there”. I was unable to find the museum “jus behind the buildings over there, and then started to think, “how was I going to get back to my hotel?” I certainly didn’t want to return to the Westin again.

In a recent blog I mentioned how Jesus promised to be with us wherever we would go. I thought to myself, why have I not thought of asking for His help? I inquired of the Lord and thanked Him for His promise to be with me and knew He was. Suddenly, I remembered on the “Seaport Route”, there was a stop closer to my hotel. So I asked a woman behind one of the ticket booths where I could catch the trolley that followed the Seaport route. I was told where to go and decided I had experienced enough misadventure, and since I couldn’t locate the wax museum, I would just return to my hotel and call it a day.
(Matthew 28:20, John 14:14)

When I got on the Trolley, I met with the same driver who was disgruntled over other passengers thinking his bus would take them on the complete historic tour. One man and his wife complained how they had been waiting for an hour and a half at his stop, only to discover his bus was the wrong one to take. Boy, could I relate. But I decided, I was going to be pleasant, and just be grateful the Lord was getting me back.

As we traveled, I told the driver I was looking for the stop closest to my hotel. He said one of the stops would be near, and when he stopped at the intersection in front of my hotel, he said, “Oh! You can get off here if you want.”I said, “Thank you very much”and put in a generous tip as I rushed off.

So much for relying on a concierge, a tour bus, tourists, and my own sense of direction. I’d be sure to pre-map everything with plan A-Z on my next tour.

I couldn’t help but think, with all the fuss in making plans, It’s interesting to note, how too many will meticulously research everything from investments, careers, travel, where to live and even when to retire while leaving to question without the slightest clue as to what will happen and where their destination will be when they depart this world. (Romans 6:23)
What Do You Imagine?

Before Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life; He told His disciples how He was going and where He would be. However, they lacked comprehension focusing only on this world and their present circumstance .
Jesus explained how He was going to prepare a place for them and assured them, where He was they would one day be, also.
(John 14:1-3)

When the thief on the cross confessed his sins and acknowledged Jesus as his Savior, Jesus told him where he would be and his destination, just as he told His disciples, “Today, you shall be with me in paradise”.
(Luke 23:41-43)

In this world there are usually a number of ways to reach your destination. All you have to do is purchase your ticket for the method of travel and the kind of accommodations in which you will stay. Sometimes the methods prove reliable and at other times they don’t. There is simply no guarantee. But when it comes to your eternal destination there are only two choices-heaven or hell.
Scriptures on Heaven and Hell

   The ticket to heaven is prepaid and purchased by Christ’s own blood through His righteousness. You can rely totally on His righteousness, but not your own. It’s not round trip, it’s only one way. The purchase to hell (eternal separation and punishment) is your fare, the requirement is believing and relying on your self-righteousness on which one sin will separate you from a Just and Holy God blocking your way to eternal life. (Romans 3:23-26)

Jesus is the cross-over bridge between those who are lost and where God dwells. There are no other routes except through Him. He’s our bridge of reconciliation, leading us all the way. The path is guaranteed, we just need to Trust in His great salvation and follow.
(2 Corinthians 5: 18-19, Romans 3: 23-25, Ephesians 1:13-14, Matthew 16:24-26)

God has provided a precise method and roadmap; an exact path to His door. He has rolled out the red carpet through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. You simply won’t get there any other way. He has made it so simple, even a child understands. It’s no secret because He has made it plain with the things He has made.
He has provided an inner compass directing your course with His Word and Holy Spirit – Who answers every question you may ask.
(John 14:6, Romans 1:20, John 14:15-1.
God’s Inner Compass

Jesus said, “ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“There is a way that seems right to man, and the ways thereof end in death.” Proverbs 14:12

The ways of the world are all dead-ended but the way of Christ is peace, love and joy and abundant life..

If you haven’t inquired into your final destination, why not do it today, don’t delay. He has your ticket, He’s just waiting, for you to pray. He has your reservation, it’s all paid. Your name will be written in the Lamb’s book of life, which no one can erase.
What is the Prayer of Salvation?

Let there be no hesitation concerning this Truth, for when you accept Christ’s “forgiveness ” you’ll also have proof.

(2 Corinthians 6:2, Romans 10:13, 1 Timothy 2:1-6, Revelation 21:27, Ephesians 1: 13-14)