EXCURSIONS!

2Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Excursion defined:
• A temporary deviation from a regular course or pattern.

Paul tells us that he finished his course. In order for Paul to finish his course he had to stay focused and not deviate from God’s original plan for his life. The scriptures reveal to us in Psalms 37:23-24, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

An excursion is a temporary deviation from a regular course. This means that we can get back on track even if we have brief moments of digression. However, it must be understood that excursions are not built –in or add-on side journeys that God includes in our destinies. An excursion is something we step aside to do that was not part of the master plan.
Several years ago our family went on a Caribbean cruise. On this cruise we decided to book some excursions at the different port of calls we were to stop at. The time allotted for the excursion was not to exceed the time the ship was to be docked at the port. At one particular port some passengers that were aboard the ship decided to go on an extended excursion meaning they went further and stay longer than they should have and the ship captain was not pleased that he had to wait for them and announced his displeasure over the intercom. As a matter of fact he was two seconds from leaving them when he got a call saying they were on their way, they had some car trouble.
Sometimes when people decide to veer from the plans and purposes of God they don’t take into consideration that they may not make it back. Excursions may seem fun for the time being but they are not worth the risk of getting left behind.