Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9,10 (ESV)

A cruise may be a relaxing get-away, but the months of preparation before you step onboard are strenuous. I didn’t expect so many hoops to have to jump through.  Getting a passport, adding four smartphone apps, completing applications, and coordinating port requirements took many hours of concentrated work. Did I mention submitting immunization records, photos, and flight information? Timelines were paramount, especially the closer we were to our departure date. And, of course, detailed, efficient packing impacted our preparation time. Setting up an onboard account, dinner plans, and activity schedules complicated matters. We had several file folders for each facet of our one-week trip. But there’s more!

The morning my husband and I boarded our ship at exactly the specific time for our assigned group, with our properly tagged luggage, we were led through winding passageways. The ship came into view at last! The entire crew and captain greeted us with enthusiasm while waving flags. They formed an aisle to further guide and cheer us on. Some took photographs. We reached our deck and were directed to our muster station to learn how to respond in the event of a catastrophe. Finally, at our stateroom, we threw our luggage down, and breathed a deep sigh of relief. Had it all been worth it? Yes, but we were tired!

Now consider what God requires of each person to enter His kingdom once and for all… confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. So simple, but the magnitude of destination and relationship is incomprehensible. How hard is it for you to make it into God’s kingdom and for Him to become your personal father and friend?

God, thank You for making salvation uncomplicated for everyone to receive and enjoy. May all accept The Way (John 14:6 ESV).

Karen Sims