Peace Out Poros






 Today was a travel day. We started in Poros, and ended back at the Greek Bible College. From there some of us caught yet another flight for our day off tomorrow. While still in Poros we spent the morning continuing to do things that filled and refreshed us. For some of us this was riding the ATVs around the mountains, and others it was laying by the pool. The last thing we did before leaving was having a final meal together. And then back on the bus! Like many days, it was filled with travel and of moments to be present along the way. 

As we’ve been traveling I’ve been thinking a lot about the discipline it takes to be present on the journey. In our modernized American culture we are so used to fast transportation and convenience that we rarely have time to slow down and be present. To not just love from destination to destination, but slow down long enough to enjoy the moment and notice how God is moving in our midst. 


We know that so many of Jesus miracles were done not at His final destination, but on the road to get there. Yet, we typically don’t talk about this. We post the about the destination, but not about the delayed flights, ferry rides, and too many bus rides to count. 


The reality is, It takes TIME to get from one place to the next. For Jesus, it wasn’t minutes in a car but miles on feet. Days of opportunities to be present in the time in between. 



Have you ever thought about this? The discipline it takes to be present on the journey? To be patient when flights get delayed, or ATVs won’t start and you are stranded on top of the mountain. To be hospitable in the midst of a heat wave. To notice the people that are pushing up against you as you’re crammed with a train car. This is take discipline. And like any discipline, there is an invitation to practice. 


Practice slowing down. Practice noticing the small. Practice acknowledging that travel is not always comfortable. I have a whole new appreciation for Jesus taking 3 days to get to Lazarus after hiking in this heatwave! Conditions may not always be ideal, but there is always an invitation to be present. 


It takes TIME to get places. And if we slow long down enough to be present, we may realize that the delays may be the destination we needed. Ending the night grateful for the gift of the journey. 

~Abbie



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