SUMMER IS A TIME FOR TRAVELING. For some the purpose of traveling is to reach a certain destination, for others the purpose is wrapped up in the journey itself. I guess I fall more in the category of the guy who desires to arrive at the destination, unpack, and kick back. Though, if truth were known, more and more I am learning to enjoy the journey. I am learning that in regards to my life as a follower of Jesus Christ as well.
For too long I thought that “being saved” was all about “getting to heaven.” But I am beginning to understand that the journey is as important as the destination. The redeemed life is a life called to live in the here and now. God made this life, and apart from sin, I believe His creation is still good. God created us for physical life, a life to be lived out in its fullness. It is on this journey that we experience the grace and mercy of the Lord. It is on this journey that we experience the goodness and faithfulness of our God. It is on this journey that we are conformed to the image of Christ.
How are you traveling? Are you one that is so set on reaching the destination that you fail to enjoy the process of getting where you’re going? Are you constantly asking the question, “Are we there yet?” and thus miss the beauty and variety of the journey? Then maybe it’s time to back off on the gas, roll down the window and enjoy the drive. Sure, there are some bumps in the road, and bugs on the windshield, and maybe even a flat tire along the way, but in those more difficult parts of the journey we can experience a growing relationship with God and with our other traveling companions.
Are we there yet? Nope! But we’re closer than when we started.