Destination Determines the Journey

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”  While I agree wholeheartedly with the heart behind this quote, because Emerson was a huge proponent of living life to the fullest, I must admit that there is a part of that quote that bothers me a little bit and has for some time.  It is the destination that should motivate us to live life with enthusiasm and depth.  Philippians 3:20 states, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  If it’s not about that destination then why should we press on to the goal (v. 14)?  That destination should motivate us to live our life for Christ every day and find the value and joy in life that will inspire others to seek and live for Christ.  Emerson might give us permission to live life any way we want to live it as long as we’re living it to the fullest, but Jesus expects us to live it for Him and to do those things that will promote His kingdom.  When we do things His way, great rewards await us, both here on earth and in heaven.  In my opinion, The Message states Galatians 5:22-26 the best.

                 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.  Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

From now on, I plan on keeping my eye on the goal (destination) so that my life might be filled with exuberance.  In the past, when I have taken my eye off that destination, I have fallen into deep despair and a feeling of hopelessness.  It took a real trial in life for God to show me that I need to keep my eye on Him.

Blessings,

Penny Fell