Nougat 27

In your future plans, what categories do you have in mind? Work/Retirement; School/Studies, Business Plans/Trading, Fashion/Fitness, Marriage/Divorce, Death/Health, Accommodations/Travel, Children/Career, Other? What about Life after Death, how often does that feature in our plans? In today’s Holy Nougat, we are invited to be intentional about Life after Death by the way we live our lives now.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Contrary to our general actions, our decision to give God sovereignty over our lives really means that our mindset shifts to migration. ‘Migration?’ you ask – and I maintain Yes; migration. For although Migration sounds like a destination; it is also very much a journey. Let’s examine the metaphor a bit more.

Let’s start with a definition:

Migration refers to the Process and Act of “Moving (ie relocation) from One Place to Another”.

It may be seasonal (birds, tourists, rich) or permanent. And even then, the act of migration does not begin on the day that one starts the journey. For us humans, whether it’s about vacation or permanent resident status or even asylum seeking, Migration begins with a Decision. And usually it is a conscious choice. There may be (usually are) factors that influence the decision to migrate, including: a desire to see new places, economic opportunities, war, abuse, famine, crisis or violence, by force or fear, or to be with family or friends. Whatever the reason, no matter how spontaneous, it usually begins with a decision.

And, because it begins with a decision, we usually start thinking about where we’re going and what we will do there. That in turn, influences what we think we will need to get moving. And another set of decisions take place. Some of us check the weather to determine our wardrobe; or we vet our luggage in response to our mode of transportation; and we may even think of who we’re going with/to see. We might even begin to plan our itinerary if it is a vacation.

When the move is more permanent; we start thinking about the accommodation we need (both long and short term); like: furniture needs, accessibility to food, good schools, to our workplace, church, general services, leisure spots, etc. We may even start thinking about what we already have and begin sifting through what we will need to get to relocate comfortably.

And usually, we connect with others who are from the area, or have a sense of the place to give us tips as we prepare (even if they are strangers on Google or a related site).

Here come the uncomfortable questions:

• Is Salvation a journey or a destination for us?

• Do we spend as much time maintaining our spiritual life as we do preparing to migrate?

How often do we consult with the experts on salvation (God’s Spirit, Jesus, or even other humans)? Remember that the Bible is our Google

Are we keeping Jesus at the center of our plans? (The value improves when He’s in it.)

As we close the month of February and look forward to March; may our future plans also reflect intentionality on keeping Christ at the forefront of ALL we do.

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May all we seek be found in Christ