My bags are packed, and I am ready to travel to a reunion of friends. The flight is leaving in three hours and before I leave for the airport, I take a few moments to read God’s Word and pray for my trip. 

As I open my Bible to Romans 15:23-29 I read about Paul’s travel plans.

His first stop is Jerusalem to deliver a gift, then a visit with the believers in Rome, and finally landing in Spain. At the end of his travel itinerary listed here, he confidently announces I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 

It is one of those “light-bulb” moments. 

When a simple verse – one that is sometimes familiar or in this case tucked into the seemingly unimportant list of destinations – suddenly becomes illuminated. 

I am going to visit childhood friends I haven’t seen in 15 years. 

Now I have an overriding purpose for my visit as this verse plants itself in my heart. I am coming with the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

One scholar describes this fullness as being “packed full and loaded like a cargo ship.”

Paul was confident that wherever he traveled, he would come to them packed and loaded with the blessings of Christ.

What did Paul bring when he arrived places?

  • He brought the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to each place he travelled. He wasn’t concerned about his presentation, but only that it brought focus and glory to God. 

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.  I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT

  • His heart was overflowing with love and joy.

Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. 2 Timothy 1:3-4 MSG

  •  His words carried hope and encouragement. 

Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other. Romans 15:32 NLT 

Yes, everywhere Paul travelled he arrived with a full heart loaded with blessings. 

A Full Heart 

Imagine arriving at a friend’s house or your workplace with your heart full of the blessings of God. 

What are you bringing with you?

  1.     Give what has been deposited in your heart.

What is God teaching you right now?

How is he leading you?

Recognize God’s work and abundance in your life and be willing to share that with others. 

Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech. Luke 6:45 LB

  1.     Speak words that encourage.

The right word at the right time is valuable and beautiful. Let the words you speak be a blessing to others. 

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. Proverbs 25:11 NLT

  1.     Bring laughter.

A smile, a warm heart, a light spirit, and good belly laugh will change the atmosphere and bring health and life into weary hearts. Laughing is like a “mini vacation” and resets emotional batteries. 

A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. Proverbs 17:22 TPT

  1.     Bring food when possible.

There is something special about sitting around a table with family and friends. Many studies have shown that eating together has major emotional and behavioral impact for everyone seated. The fullness of the blessings of Christ are evident and flow from one person to another.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:11-12 NLT 

A Lifestyle of Blessing

My reunion trip was filled with laughter as we remembered the crazy stories of our youth. We cried together, prayed together, shared testimonies of God’s goodness in our lives, and relished the wonderful food and conversations around the table.

 

This isn’t just a one-time mission during my reunion trip, but a lifestyle I desire; to bring the fullness of Jesus with me into every room I enter.

May each one of us:

  • Recognize the everyday opportunities to come packed and fully loaded with blessings for others.
  • Bring a ray of hope and sunshine into rooms of disappointment and heartbreak.
  • Contribute practical blessings in needy situations. 

Let your heart be packed full and loaded with the fullness of the blessings of Jesus so that when you walk into these spaces with others – from coffee shops, to homes, to grocery stores, to work places – you will bring refreshment, hope, and a cargo ship filled with blessings.