Life is Not a Freeway

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14

I have been thinking a lot lately about this journey we are on called life and it is definitely not a smooth, easy traveling freeway. Many have heard the saying “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” no doubt there is some truth to that, but I suspect looking forward to the destination help make the journey bearable when the going gets rough. 

Joshua, who would finally lead the Israelites across the Jordan and into the land that had been promised to them, had seen the land forty years earlier - during a scouting mission. He and Caleb had been the only returning spies who said let us take the land. Because they believed and stood ready to be obedient Joshua and Caleb were the only ones from that generation to step onto the land God had promised his people. For forty years Joshua and Caleb wandered in the wilderness with everyone else but remembering the land they had seen. Did that keep them going? I think it did.

Paul, after his Damascus Road experience knew that his ultimate destination would be heaven, but he would also travel the world sharing the Gospel. He knew that his earthly destination was Rome and that his life would be spared until he got there. It was not an easy journey by any stretch of our imaginations.

We are each on a journey and for those of us who identify ourselves as followers of Jesus; our ultimate destination is eternity in His presence. Until we get there, we will travel all kinds of roads - some smooth, some steep, and some filled with ruts. We will face obstacles - some that God has or will allow and some that we have placed there. We will spend time in the mountains and time in the desert. Sometimes we will have to wade through the flood and other times the waters may part. Sometimes we will have just the right number of travel companions, sometimes we will be caught in a traffic jam and other times we will travel the road seemingly alone. 

The journey is intended to mold us into who we are meant to be - the destination will keep us going when we would rather not take another step. This week keep your eyes on the road and your heart on the destination.

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the journey each one who reads this is on. You know where they are at and what they are facing. Some are on a rough road, some are on a steep mountain road, some are feeling alone - even though You are with them. Help us Lord, especially when the road is not easy to remember where You are leading us and may we find strength in the destination. In the name of Jesus, Amen.