Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Do you love a road trip?

Are you the type who maps out every stop, schedules every bathroom break, and has snacks prepped for days? Or do you just jump in the car and see where the road takes you? Maybe you’re all about the journey, soaking in the scenery. Or maybe you're laser-focused on the destination.

Today, let’s take a look at one of the most epic road trips in Scripture: the journey of Paul and Barnabas. This trip had everything—encounters with sorcerers, brushes with death, mistaken identity (they were once thought to be gods!), and yet through it all, purpose and perseverance.

So, what can we learn from their journey? What can we take from their metaphorical “get in the car and go” moment of trusting God, even when the destination wasn't entirely clear?

1. They Were Prepared
   Before any good road trip, you check your gas, air up your tires, load up on snacks, and make sure your GPS is working. Paul and Barnabas approached their journey the same way—spiritually. They fasted. They prayed. They leaned into a faith-filled community that prayed over them, too. God calls us to be ready in season and out of season. Most of the time, we don’t know when the journey will begin—but that’s exactly why we need to stay spiritually fueled. When God says “Go,” we don’t want to be scrambling—we want to be moving. Ready hearts, full tanks.
   
2. They Had a Purpose
   Paul and Barnabas didn’t know all the stops they’d make. There was no itinerary with comfortable overnight stays. But they did know their why.
   In Acts 13:47, we read: “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Their GPS wasn’t set to a city—it was set to a calling. They had direction: to the ends of the earth. But more importantly, they had a purpose: to shine the light of Jesus. When we live from a place of purpose, the potholes don’t stop us—they remind us why we’re on the road to begin with.
   
3. They Had Resolve
   No road trip is perfect. A flat tire.A rock chip on your windshield—just three miles from home. Detours. Construction. The ever-dreaded dead zone with no music or maps. Life will have its valleys. But how we respond matters. In Acts 14:22, Paul encourages the disciples: “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Wait—encouragement through hardship? Yes. Because we are not promised a smooth ride, but we are promised that God goes with us. And this is where the first two points come full circle: When you’re prepared and anchored in your purpose, you can stand firm in resolve.
   

So, what about your road trip? Your faith journey may be long. It may be winding. It may feel uncertain at times. But here’s what we can learn from Paul and Barnabas:
Prepare your heart. Stay fueled. Stay prayerful. Know your purpose. Let it be your compass. Resolve to keep going—even when the road is rough. Surround yourself with your Barnabas—that person who walks with you, prays for you, and encourages you to keep moving forward. Because the road trip of faith – it’s not just about where you're going, it really is about the journey.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.