“Are we there yet?”
Maybe you’ve heard this several times over the course of raising your children. Maybe you were the one that kept asking it, every fifteen minutes or so.
When we go on a journey, regardless of how long (or short) it is, it can be easy to focus on the destination and lose sight of the journey itself. In our busy society, it has become almost a prerequisite to focus on “the task” or “the job” at hand, regardless of any other issues.
When we do this, however, it can prevent us from enjoying the journey. We see the journey simply as a means to an end, not as a vital, important part of the journey.
My wife and I recently had the opportunity to do some travelling by car, driving from Kamloops to the Peace River area of British Columbia and back. We travelled through many picturesque areas, from the semi-desert area of the Thompson Okanagan, to the Rocky Mountains to the vast agricultural fields in the north.
There was a great diversity in scenery through these areas: forests, hills, mountains, lakes and plains. Each area held its own beauty. Sometimes in life we get so “focused” on our current situation that we literally do not see, “the forest for the trees.” We look toward our goal with an almost tunnel-like vision, missing the beauty that is around us.
Each area we travelled through held a particular beauty, even if it was a stark beauty. We appreciated the lushness of one area after seeing the lack of vegetation in another area. We treasured the bounty of the agricultural lands after viewing the ruggedness of the mountains. We viewed the majesty of the lakes and rivers with a thankful spirit, grateful for the beauty of the country in which we live.
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The important thing that we (re)discovered on this trip is that we can see beauty in any area, any situation that we are in—when we know that the Lord is leading us. Just as we knew that the natural features of the area in which we were travelling at the moment would change shortly to something entirely different, we know that God will lead us and guide us to the next point in our lives.
“This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
This is a matter of choice, however. If we didn’t believe that the road would lead us out of the mountains, for example, we might be tempted to pull over to the side of the road and go nowhere. But we knew that the mountains were just part of the journey and we continued on, confidently looking forward to what we knew to be ahead.
The journey we travel physically is a good illustration of the journey we travel spiritually. Not every area will be the same. Some areas will be very appealing, and others frightening. However, we know that the journey is always much better when we journey with the Lord at our side.
“I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.”
May you let God be your companion and enjoy the journey!
-Pastor Al
kamfullgospelblog.ca 
God orders the steps of righteous people. Those who trust in him will never be ashamed. Amen!
LikeLike