The Journey is the Destination

Originally Published 2010, Updated 2019

I’ve said it many times. I love to travel. I want the trip to have purpose and meaning, and I want to enjoy the experience. This doesn’t mean the destination is not important, rather, I’ve learned that the journey to the destination is what matters the most.

Here’s my constant thought of the journey that leads to an important destination. The end trip is very important, but the journey in and of itself is equally important.

Jesus, O’ Jesus

This brings me to thinking about Jesus. His journey to earth, his complete life, and his exodus. Toward the ending of it all, He prayed with this summation.

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said:
“Father, the hour has come.
Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
as You have given Him authority over all flesh,
that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
I have glorified You on the earth.
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself,
with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
(John 17:1-5 NKJV)

This makes me look for examples of others who have had a similar experience. Moses. Abraham. Paul.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight…finished the race…kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NKJV)

Here’s My Thought Today

I suspect that these few days of schooling and family are to blame for my thought tonight. Somewhere along the way I was looking toward an ending of the trip and feeling rewarded that I had arrived. What was my trip? Well, I traveled to Sacramento to enjoy lunch with a good friend and president of Apostolic School of Theology. Then, on to Fullerton, CA to enjoy 8 days of intensive schooling with little time off. Finally, back north to Arroyo Grande to enjoy my family for Christmas and relaxation. February, I think… Finally, home and busy life.

Travel Personality

When I travel anywhere, something I have learned about myself, I don’t want to sleep when moving forward. Sleeping means I’m basically unconscious. Unconscious means I’m missing something. My wife can sit and read a book on the journey. Not me. I’m always looking around so as to see everything there is to see.

• Notice that funny-looking cow; see that sheep with her two little black newborn lambs.
• See that rusted-out truck sitting in the grove of trees. Wonder what year it is. 20’s, 30’s??? Should I go check it out? Why is it just sitting there?
• I wonder where that road leads to? Sure looks like an interesting side journey. Look at that road sign. It’s the same as earlier – it must be a loop of some sort.
• Wonder what the name of those trees is? Eucalyptus…
• I wonder how long this road goes straight without a bend or turn? Let’s do a mileage check.
• Look at that fuel gauge and mileage calculation! 25.1 MPG with a tailwind.
• Look at that carload of people – let’s count the number of heads.
• How many horses are in that pasture? See that palomino… What color do you call that one? How many hands is he?

These kinds of observances are constant for me. I can do this for hours and never hold a conversation, listen to music, pay attention to the radio, or even be concerned with life in general. How can I do that? I love this saying:

Though I’m excited in some way to reach the end of the journey: Lunch plans, Great school, Wonderful family time, Home – my own bed, there’s something to say about the journey itself. When I look back over my life’s previous journey’s, I realize that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey as much as I enjoyed the destination. However, for me, there is nothing like the journey!

The Journey of Jesus

When Jesus reached the end of his time on earth, he glanced back over his life and recapped his successes. There are two things I want to think about.

• I have glorified thee on the earth:
• I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Though there are many thoughts in this chapter, think about what Jesus is saying. During his adult ministry, Jesus always had a goal in mind. Perhaps he listed his goals something like this.

1. Honor my Father in Heaven
2. Honor my parents on earth.
3. Pray always.
4. Keep my focus on the job set before me.
5. Be sensitive to those around me.
6. Reach out to those that will follow me.
7. Teach, train, and be an example, not only to the twelve but also to everyone everywhere.
8. Be sensitive to spiritual things.
9. Be aware of the hurting and needful ones.
10. Accomplish the mission that was set before me.
11. Endure everything that comes my way.
12. Be faithful in all my “church” related things.

Transfer the thought to a personal view

Perhaps this is what is missing in the church today. Collectively and individually. We are often self-absorbed in our own desires and less in what God has called us each to do. Personally, I want a section of land (640 acres) to live in the middle of and never see another person unless I’m ready for them! A mountain with glaciers hanging overhead, an ice-cold river running through, and some fishing ponds! I would love to have a horse, a cow, a few goats, some chickens, a garden, a tractor, a 5th wheel, etc.

Then I think about retiring years and where the funds will come to live by. And somewhere embedded in this list comes God and the church.

I pray that we are successful in living every day so that we can reach the end of the journey and recap our life as Jesus did.

However, that is Jesus. God. King of all. Creator. Supreme ruler. Then, why sing?

I’ve been on the mountain with Jesus,
I’ve been through the valley’s so low,
Yet not one time has he failed me.
When to him with my burdens I go.
To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus,
on earth, I want to be like him,
all through life’s journey, from earth to glory,
I only ask, to be like him…

Saul, Now Paul

Somewhere along the way, Saul was living out his life and calling. Trained at the feet of Gamaliel, he was on the fast track to becoming a major Pharisee – perhaps even the highest one. We know that he was alive during the time of Jesus – perhaps in training in another place. In the early chapter of Acts, he becomes zealous for the Law, perhaps even a Zealot – persecuting those who were Christ’s followers, throwing them in prison, accenting unto their death. He stood by while Stephen was stoned. He pushed for permission to travel and had letters that allowed him to quell the Christian movement.

While on the road to Damascus, he comes face to face with Christ. We don’t understand all that really happened, but Saul becomes Paul. His mission now changes. It seems that all his knowledge as a Pharisee is now used to understand Christ, and instead of yearning to quell the movement, he is now one of “them.” Moreover, much of what the church is in strength today is because Paul followed Christ.

What does Paul do now? 

Paul lays all his personal goals and desires aside and picks up his cross to daily follow the Lord. When he reaches the end of his journey, he declares to Timothy in his second epistle… Chapter 4: – I’m ready to be offered. The time of my departure is at hand. I’ve fought that good fight and finished my course. My faith is intact. There is a reward!

How can we be ready to face the end of our life’s journey if we’ve not lived life as Jesus or Paul? Or as we are called and commissioned to do? Don’t think they are someone we have no hope to aspire to live like. They are our examples!

We sing the song, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through…” yet we are making this world our home! Don’t move me out of my comfort zone. I want things the way they’ve been for a thousand years. My… pew, church, pastor, home, job, desires, toys. It’s all about “my”. But then the other song comes to mind, “Mine, Mine, Mine, Jesus is mine! Mine when I’m happy. He’s mine when I’m sad. Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine all the time, yes he’s mine!”

Missions Afar and Missions at Home

Many have left the comfort of home to go and dig out new works, forsaking family and comfort, without the support of financial systems or offerings. Heroes of our present-day faith, not someone found in Hebrews 11.

• I never met Bro Kenneth French, but his dying wish was for “Just One More Place…” – one more church, one more soul, one more opportunity…
• Bro and Sis Freeman gave up all to serve on the mission field and, after 49 years, returned with no place of their own.
• Bro and Sis Demerchant were missionaries, living in the jungles of South America for more than 40 years of missions.

Each of you knows someone you can name that is a true example of living their life for Christ.

Equally, we know of those who have had their mission life right where they’ve been planted since birth. Their journey is no less important than those who go far afield.

Examples of all rattle my thinking cage all day long!

Summary

I found these quotes today on the internet and throughout my various messages from years of preaching and teaching:

• “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” (Greg Anderson)
• “The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” (Don Williams, Jr)
• “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end” (Ursula K LeGuin)
• “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” (Chinese Proverb)
• “Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.” (Alex Noble)
• “Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey.” (Unknown)
• “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” (Lewis Carroll)
• “What people forget is a journey to nowhere starts with a single step, too.” (Chuck Palahniuk)

What is the Journey for this church? For you? How about for us? For me? I plan on keeping my hands on the plow, my feet moving forward, and my head and heart working the way Christ has called me to work. I’ve sort of made this my mantra:

At some point, you realize what you are doing is what God intended for you to do.
Enjoy the calling. Stretch your wings and fly with it.
You were made especially for your situation…

Think This Through

One last song from my youth years. Church choir…

I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now
I’ve got to make it to heaven somehow
Thought the devil tempts me and tries to draw me away
He’s offered everything that’s got a name
All the wealth I want, and worldly fame
If I could still I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now!

God called us together for such a time as now. He will not leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has thoughts and plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). There is a “well done” moment of reward and recognition sometime in the future (Matthew 25:21-23).

Are we willing to focus on the journey and not only the destination? Keep your head in the game, says the coach of our lives! Keep moving the way I’ve planted your feet! (Psalms 1:3) Enjoy your journey!