Undeniable Truth #6

6. GOD IS AS INTERESTED IN THE JOURNEY AS HE IS IN THE DESTINATION

We were sitting in an airport in Los Angeles getting ready to board a long overseas flight. I was trying not to let my anxiety show but something had happened and this leg of the flight had been left off my itinerary. So, it was possible that as the leader for an international mission, I might not even be able to travel with my team. I explained the situation to the ticket agent but as you know- since 911, nothing happens fast and no amount of pleading can change the process at the airport.

I sat there praying, when I heard my name over the intercom. I responded, and arrived at the counter to find that I was being bumped...up to business class! Now I have been traveling on overseas mission trips for over 20 years and I've been flying domestically for much longer than that and I have NEVER flown anything but coach.

For the next 12 hours I was blown away at the special care, the wonderful food, the unlimited cokes, the gift set, the warm facial towels, the fuzzy socks...the RECLINER!

Normally, my trips to Africa are all about the destination and we all endure the 22 hours in the air and all the plane changes and layovers but it's all about the destination. This time- I appreciated the journey AND the destination.

(of course I did get the full wrath of my team when we arrived and I asked them if they enjoyed their beef tips meal and the cheese trays!)

God cares about the destination to be sure. He does have a will for us- a place we are to land but...He also cares how we get there.

The world lives as if the ends justify any means necessary to get there but with God the quality of the journey is what gives integrity to the destination. God cared deeply how the children of Israel got from Egypt to the land promised to Abram. In fact this relatively short journey stretched across four decades precisely because of how they journeyed. If the destination was the point- God could have translated them miraculously from the Red Sea to the banks of the Jordan river instantaneously. The desire of God's heart was to walk with them in a sacred romance as they watched him win battle after battle witnessing the glory of the Lord marching forward and His name becoming famous.

As a kid, my dad always planned huge vacations...but they were done on a budget. My favorite was driving from Corpus Christi, Texas to Ventura, California in our Oldsmobile Delmont 88. The destination was amazing. California was beautiful and it was so great to see my dad's family. But, getting there was half the fun!  These were the days before seat belt laws so we filled the floor boards with blankets until the whole back seat was one giant bed. My mom packed lots of sandwiches and each of us kids got an allowance to spend as we stopped at places like Stuckeys. Motel expenses were out of the question and the one time we did stop to sleep...it was at a roadside park and my dad slept outdoors on a picnic table. Finally, I will never forget the journey home because while in California my dad bought a Honda motorcycle and loaded it onto bumper brackets which made the car look like a lowrider and caused our headlights to shoot upward into the night sky.

Vivid memories, of a simpler time. They make me smile sitting here in my recliner and they make me love my dad even more.

I know you want to get there. Wherever there is. But, for today- slow down and relish the journey. You will find Him there.