Pack for Eternity
by Annie Yorty
I’ve traveled with God many times to faraway places to share the gospel and teach His truth. So often, in fact, that I have a suitcase in my basement which contains things I commonly need for international travel. If we think of the life to come after Jesus returns as a travel destination, do we know how to pack for eternity?
For my earthly travels, my passport holder, special security wallet, neck support, thermals (for Siberia), travel slippers, extra glasses, medicines, and much more stand constantly ready. When I book a travel date, I add myriad other items I think I’ll need at my destination until the time of departure when I drag my suitcase out the door.
If you think of the life to come after Jesus returns as a travel destination, learn what the Bible says about how to pack for eternity. Click To TweetThe End Is Near
Last week in my blog, Be Prepared in 2023, I published seven ways Christians should prepare for the return of Jesus based upon His parables in the book of Matthew. I also recently wrote How to Talk with Your Kids about Climate Change and God’s Sovereignty. Both Jesus and climate alarmists warn of the imminent end of the world. Isn’t that a cheery thought for your day?
The Apostle Peter and modern pundits offer radically different prescriptions for the upcoming demise of the earth. Pundits scream from every media that humans can avert the end by changing agriculture, food consumption, transportation, money usage, heating methods, and even our stoves.
In his second epistle, Peter proposes an alternative response.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NLT)
Just as I pack my suitcase with necessities for my destination, Peter tells us we should we pack seven attributes into our lives while we wait for the upcoming “trip” to eternity.
7 Attributes to Pack for Eternity
- Moral excellence
Also known as virtue, moral excellence refers to the idea of filling your life with God’s purpose.
- Knowledge
The knowledge of God must grow not only in our head but also in our hearts where it transforms our behavior to conform to Christ.
- Self-control
Apostle Paul said we should exercise self-discipline like an athlete who trains his body for competition. We must deny ourselves to grow strength and confidence in God.
- Patient endurance
Peter encourages us to learn to persevere through circumstances we may want to escape. James tells us that bearing up under suffering makes us complete (2:4).
- Godliness
The entire fabric of our lives should be woven with godliness as one whole cloth. Reverence toward God should permeate every area of life from work to home life and even to private times when only God sees.
- Brotherly affection
When we arrive at our destination after life on this earth, we’re going to find some people we already know. Peter tells us we should relate to these brothers and sisters here with the same kindness we expect to find in heaven.
- Love
This type of love for others denies self and models Christ. In love, we seek the highest good for others.
Exercise self-discipline like an athlete who trains his body for competition. Deny yourself to grow strength and confidence in God. Click To TweetNo Weight Limits
Airline rules limit me to fifty pounds in my checked luggage. But with God there’s no restrictions. We’re encouraged to cram ever-increasing amounts of these attributes into our lives. In fact, in verse five, Peter admonishes us to diligently grow. In other words, work hard at it.
Keep Alert
When I finally make it to the airport with my bags stuffed with everything I’ll need, I slog through endless ticketing and security lines. When I arrive at the departure gate, it’s tempting to sink into a chair and take a nap.
In the final words of his letter, Peter warns us to stay alert.
You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18 NLT)
If I fall asleep waiting for boarding, I might miss important announcements. Maybe the gate will be changed, and I would be scrambling at the last minute to get to the plane.
If we get too comfortable spiritually and coast while we wait for Jesus’ return, Peter says we might run into problems. We could be drawn away from the truth and flounder in insecurity.
Is Your Suitcase Packed for Eternity?
Friends, do you ever feel discouraged when you hear the clamor and worldly prescriptions about the end of the world? I know I do. Sometimes my feelings plunge me into a spiritual paralysis that stops me from packing for eternity. Then I look at the ending exclamation in Peter’s letter. “All glory to him, both now and forever!”
If you wake up with breath in your lungs, make it a day to pack something new in your bag for eternity that will bring glory to God both today and forever.
Join the conversation:
What helps you to stay motivated to pack your bags for eternity?
I welcome your comments!
Copyright ©2022 Annie Yorty
Be Prepared in 2023
18 Comments
J.D. Wininger
Such an inspiring post Ms. Annie. I thought about my “Road Warrior” days, and, like you, I still keep a “Go Bag” of stuff I’ll need while TDY. I thought too about how often I find my “Spiritual Suitcase” a little light (lacking in one area of spiritual discipline or another). That reminded me of my ALICE gear from my military days and how much trouble we would get into if our rucksack was found to be light (meaning we had left some things out to lighted our load, but it also meant we didn’t have what was needed/required). The penalty (at least in my day) was the instructors “helping us out” by placing a heavy load of rocks into our packs. It usually only took one time (a march filled with misery and pain from having to carry an extra-heavy load/burden) to learn the lesson of packing correctly. Made me stop to wonder if some of life’s trials are allowed for that very reason, “we’ve packed light”? Loved your post ma’am; thank you!
Annie Yorty
Wow, J.D.! What a great real-life example of this concept. I’ll need to ask my hubby about this from his military experience. I don’t think he did too much marching in the Air Force, but maybe in basic training. Thanks for your input!
Toby
As I’m ready almost to leave for my trip next week, I loved reading this today! Thank you Ann. Love you so much.
Annie Yorty
Yes, Toby, you have lots of experience with packing. You could probably do it in your sleep. I pray all your upcoming work is fruitful for eternity. Much love and blessings as you travel!
Nancy E. Head
Moral excellence! What a phrase for our times. Wonderful post, Annie. Wonderful encouragement to urge us forward to these attributes. Thanks and God bless!
Annie Yorty
That attribute is in short supply these days. Anyone who displays it will certainly stand out. Thanks for your encouragement, Nancy!
Barbara Lynn
“If we get too comfortable spiritually and coast while we wait for Jesus’ return, Peter says we might run into problems. We could be drawn away from the truth and flounder in insecurity.” So true. Thanks for the encouragement to persevere towards packing for eternity.
Annie Yorty
It’s good to hear from you, Barbara. Thank you for adding your thoughts to the conversation.
Debbie Wilson
I love that passage in 2 Peter and your analogy. We need to be ready! Thanks, Annie.
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Debbie. Blessings to you!
Jen Knight
I highly dislike bumpy airplane rides and I have to continually tell myself God is in control. It’s the same for the end times. It may look bumpy but He is still in charge.
Annie Yorty
Thanks for sharing that great analogy, Jen. Blessings to you!
Connie Wohlford
This is a wonderful message and is beautifully written.
One of my favorite lines is :
“The entire fabric of our lives should be woven with godliness as one whole cloth.”
Annie Yorty
Thank you so much, Connie for visiting and adding your thoughts to the conversation. Blessings to you!
Yvonne Morgan
I loved your message Annie. I’m traveling this weekend so thoughts of packing filled my mind. Just like my packing list, I need to keep your list in my heart and mind so I am always ready to go on that final trip. Thanks for sharing
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Yvonne, for your visit. I hope you have happy travels!
Katherine Pasour
I look forward to seeing my loved ones in eternity. I love how you’ve used your preparation of a trip to guide us in preparing ourselves for eternity. Wonderful analogy. Thank you for this inspiring message, Annie.
Annie Yorty
I’m right there with you, Katherine. The reality of heaven becomes clearer and more tantalizing as I see others go before me. What wonderful hope we have!