Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? If you're a parent you've heard it plenty of times and growing up I'm sure you said it a few times as well. It comes from the back seat when you are nowhere close to your destination. This past Christmas/New Years holiday we took a trip to Colorado. A trip in which we logged in over 2100 miles total. About an hour into our trip, I heard it for the first time and by the time we had finished our marathon journey, I heard it more times than I care to count. Truth is, no matter how much we love to travel, we all like to get where we are going don't we? Sure, as you drive, its great to take in all the scenery, but it sure feels good when you finally get there.

I don't recall how many hours it took to get there, but I remember seeing the mountains for the first time thinking we are almost there. Then 2 1/2 hours later, we were finally there. You know how it is, you see the mountains in the distance and think it can't be more than another 30 minutes or so. After 30 minutes, you think, ok, it can't be more than another 30 minutes or so. They seem like they are right there when in reality, they are miles and miles and miles away.

As I think about our Christian journey, it's really not all that different. Perhaps you set out on your journey decades ago, or maybe its just been recently. Whatever the case, none of us have arrived yet. It's a journey that takes a lifetime. Sure, we like the journey, but getting where we are going sure would be nice. Sometimes we feel like that little kid in the back seat wondering if we are there yet. Wondering if we are even close. Of course, the answer to that is a resounding, "No!" It's a journey with that destination in the distance that regardless of how close it looks, is still quite far away.

If I can paraphrase the apostle Paul, he said, "I'm not there yet but I'm on my way. I'm forgetting the past and I'm pressing forward. I'm headed for my destination." That's where we all should be, moving forward on our journey. Not standing still, not moving backwards, but moving forward. It doesn't really matter what mile marker we are at, just that we are moving toward the next one. We are all a work in progress, and the key is always to remember that. Like Paul, we haven't arrived yet.

I know when traveling, I can get a bit impatient. When I get on the road, I want to get there. If Google says it takes 9 hours, I want to prove I can do it in 7 1/2. If I'm not careful, I'll get so focused on my destination that I'll miss the whole journey. We can do that in our Christian journey as well. We can get so focused on where we are headed that we miss all the great stuff along the way. God put us on this planet and believe it or not, He longs for us to enjoy our time here. It's a really long journey and it's ok, if you determine to take your time and take it all in. So, let's press forward and move on. But, in all the pressing and in all the moving, let's take time to enjoy the journey.