Do you like road trips? Most people do. It is fun to travel long distances! We get to see many sights. There is a constant sense of making progress and the anticipation of the joy of reaching your destination.
As a child, I did not enjoy our family road trips. My bladder never cooperated with my dad's scheduled stops and I did not enjoy the cramped space in which I had to sit still for too many hours. As a result, I often had to ask, 'Are we there yet?'
Today my dream holiday would be to rent a Harley and travel all over America for three months. Without a plan or a destination in mind, just going where the road takes me. And since this is a dream, I would want to do this with limitless cash.
The question is, 'What changed?' As a youngster, I just wanted to get there. Now I want to travel without even knowing where I am going. What changed?
Three things changed.
- It is no fun travelling with my dad. He is rushed and only thinking of the destination. Travelling is way more fun when you are in the right company. Pick your companions well!
- I discovered that no destination is permanent. There will always be a next destination. 'Getting there' is more like reaching a stopover. Some stops may be long, some short. But you will be travelling again.
- I realised joy in the journey makes your holiday that much longer. Stop and smell the roses!
Thus, in this second Monday Motivation post of mine, I want to remind you of three things.
- You are not at your destination yet. Life will not stay the way it is today. Your current circumstances are not your permanent state. Keep going!
- Stop and smell the roses. Enjoy today, wherever you are, however difficult it is. Take a deep breath and smile. You are alive and you are en route.
- Destinations are overrated. Accomplished goals are fleeting, soon to be replaced by new ones. Have fun getting there!
Michael Card is one of my all-time favourite artists. He wrote a song called, 'Joy in the journey.' Here are some of the lyrics.
There is a joy in the journey,
There's a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
And freedom for those who obey.
I pray that you will be able to enjoy your journey today. Whether you are on a mountaintop or a deep dark valley, you are en route, not at your destination. Have fun and keep going!
And as you keep going, think on this beautiful promise.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you...
Isa 43:2-3 MSG
Are we there yet?
No, we are not. And we are glad! There is joy in the journey for we are not alone.
