Sometimes It Is The Destination

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brethren, I count myself not to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

With increasing technology allowing us instantaneous information and the ability to be connected at all times, more and more, we are urged to live in the moment, in the Now. The message to us is that It is the journey, not the destination that matters, meaning, take the time to enjoy and appreciate each moment of each day of our life's journey.

In May, from Vancouver Island to New Mexico, we travelled by ferry, plane, train, bus, and car to some very interesting places, but in so doing, sometimes it was quite a challenge to enjoy the journey.

In New Mexico, thirteen miles of long, winding, narrow, rocky road to the Christ in the Desert Monastery often seemed a close cousin to that of the Amalfi Coast in Italy, or up to the Montserrat in Barcelona, Spain, on previously-taken trips. Small pullouts along the way to enable oncoming vehicles to pass, especially when we were up high, were a bit of a nail-biter. And while the trip to Tinkertown wasn't harrowing at all, it had its moments in other ways.

Both destinations, however, were far and away beyond our expectations. It always amazes me how these places were scouted out in the first place, and secondly, how materials were brought in to build them.

As for Tinkertown, it is a Mecca of cleverly combined circus miniatures, and other treasures from days gone by, complete with humorous titles exposing the depth of a very clever mind. A quarter placed in machines of another era extract a card from the Fortune Teller, cause the One-Man-Band to play, or tell your weight — all a legacy left by its builder before Alzheimer's disease stole his mind in five short years by the age of 62.

My mother taught me early on that, no matter how unpleasant a situation, there is always someone worse off than we are, and that we should think positive thoughts and keep our focus on the good rather than the unpleasant. From that advice, my mind has a way of segueing to things not always completely related to the matter at hand.

And so, as we rumbled along the seemingly never-ending, narrow, rocky, winding road, it was this tool that lent me some insight as to how people could possibly suffer for years as prisoners of war, as those living with debilitating conditions, or as missionaries building inroads literally and figuratively in tenuous situations. It is because they are able to keep focused on the end, the final destination.

Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (KJV)

Prayer: O Lord, let us always keep our eyes on our final destination. Savour the moment, yes, enjoy each day as we may, but may we keep You and our eternal home as our primary focus. In Your name we pray, and give thanks for this day. Amen.

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