“If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company.” Embarking on a journey leads us to consider many points of interest and to consider many fascinating questions like where are we going, how long will it take, is the journey long, and are we there yet? A journey can be like an adventure, something we have been longing for, something we are looking forward to, something we are hoping to undertake. A journey can provide new prospects to visit, new opportunities to consider, new experiences to look forward to, new avenues to take, new insights to see. Conversely, a journey can also be an unwelcomed adventure. One that may require too much planning, involve too much uncertainty, and take too much time to prepare. As busy as we are, who has time for a journey or even want to take the risk that it might be an unpleasant trip? However, when we consider that life is an unexpected but amazing journey, and that the journey is leading us to a place that is familiar to our soul, and to a person who created us for Himself then the journey becomes something worthy, worthwhile undertaking and something we look forward to even when there are so many unknowns. We can consider heaven the ultimate destination or God to be the final stop or even the final resting place. But heaven is so much more. It is not an end but a new beginning. It is a journey within itself. For some, the journey itself is the most important aspect to consider. It is not about the arrival, but rather the experience of getting there. For others, it is not about the details, or points of interest or the experiences along the way, but rather about arriving safely naturally, after an on-time departure and expected arrival as well. For me, I wonder if it is not more about the One who says I am with you always until the end of the age, come follow me. The One who encourages us to consider that He is the Way that we must go, the Truth we must follow, and the Life we must undertake for all eternity. I am not certain if it’s truly about taking the road less traveled or avoiding pitfalls and obstacles along the way. It seems like the journey and destination are both one and the same. Jesus walks with us accompanying us along the way, drawing us closer to the Father our heavenly homeland and final resting place.
