Joy in the Journey

I have always enjoyed travel. As a boy, I had the opportunity to visit many wonderful places with my dad and mom. However, one thing about travel has changed for me. Like most young people, I was always anxious to “get there.” The anticipation of what we would do once we arrived at our destination was the main thing. As I get older, I am learning that much of the fun of the trip is the journey itself. And so it is with life.

Dr. Curtis Hutson said many years ago, “I know I am going to enjoy the destination, but I want to enjoy the journey.” Heaven will be wonderful! Yet, our loving Father desires that even the journey through this world be made with joy.

This journey is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It is not measured in miles; it is measured in days. And it is not so much about ending at a different place as it is coming to a Person. Years ago, Clarence Sexton taught me that “God does not bring you to a place. He brings you to Himself.” “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” (Exodus 19:4).

We Never Journey Alone

Walking with God is a lifelong journey. I am very grateful that along the way there are people who come alongside to encourage us. So many distractions would have become detours if it had not been for more mature travelers who guided us forward.

The beloved apostle John tells us about a good man named Gaius who made it his business to help others stay on the right path. In fact, John wrote to him with full confidence that he would help bring God’s servants “forward on their journey” (3 John 6). We know that God is always moving forward. In the words of Hudson Taylor, “God is always advancing.” But at times it seems everything has conspired to keep us from moving forward with Him. Then along comes a man like this man.

I am sitting in my study tonight thinking of all the people through the years who cheered me on, who pointed in the right direction, who refused to let me sit down. Parents.  Grandparents. Teachers. Preachers. Friends. Unnamed and unknown people. They have helped me move forward on my journey. God bless them for it.

In John Bunyan‘s Pilgrim’s Progress, there were a host of fellow travelers who kept Christian moving in the right direction. Now it is my turn. And it is yours. Find someone this week and help them “forward on their journey.” We will all be glad we did when we get to the Celestial City.

Never forget that the most wonderful part of any trip is companionship. The journey is always better with those you love. We are not making this journey alone. He is with us, and at every stage of the journey He is teaching us more about Himself.

Along the Journey

We recently returned from our annual family vacation. Some of my fondest childhood memories surround family trips. There is a certain adventure to it all! My wife and children love to travel, and it has made for wonderful times together. Sometimes the road trip is as much fun as the destination!

Several years ago, I began writing articles for this website. At the time, I chose “Enjoying the Journey” as the title. I want to enjoy the journey with Jesus and those that He has chosen for me to share the journey with. Along the journey, there are certain things that you grow accustomed to watching for.

• Along the journey, there are yield signs.

To ignore a “yield” sign is to do so at your own peril. Throughout life, there will be many moments when God asks you to yield – and to do so gladly. At these moments, He is merging something into your life that is necessary for the journey to flow smoothly.

• Along the journey, there are stop signs.

Sometimes God puts up a “stop” sign, a definite and divine command to wait. Those of us who like to get to our destination have a hard time with these delays! Yet the Lord is moving when we are not. He is at work. George Müller once commented on Psalm 37:23, “‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord‘ – and so are the stops!”  Thank God for every roadblock of mercy and trust that He knows best.

• Along the journey, there are detours.

Some detours are of God, and some are not. When detours approach, it is always wise to pull off and check the map. Is this going to take me to the same destination? If I follow this route, where will I be? Satan’s detours take you farther away from the right way and rob you of God’s best. When the Lord leads down a detour, it is always to bring us back on the path with some good thing He desires to give us.

• Along the journey, there are rest areas.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Come ye yourselves apart…and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). In my youth, I wanted to see how quickly I could get to my destination. But how many beautiful places and experiences are missed this way! Sometimes God gives a wide place in the road to stop and refresh yourself. You cannot live there, but you cannot live without them either. Learn to rest and renew.

• Along the journey, there are speed limits (and policemen to help you remember!).

No illustrations here. Too many bitter memories! The truth is that we often race through life at such a pace we are rushing right past the Lord and others He desires for us to minister to. Slow down and “…walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). This literally means to stay in step with the Spirit. Do not get ahead of Him and do not get behind Him. A precious friend, Dr. Johnny Pope, reminded me once in a text that, “We are encouraged to walk by faith, not run. Running brings the connotation of hurry and us making it happen, whereas walking speaks to us of a calmness that trusts God to make it happen.” Amen!

• Along the journey, there are cross roads.

On every trip there are decisions to be made. As many of them as can be made in advance is good. This brings a certainty to our direction. Inevitably, we will face intersections. Decisions about which way to go. At that moment, we must especially live by faith. Ask God for wisdom and believe that He will never lead you the wrong way.

Keep Enjoying the Journey

There are many other things found along the journey. Not all of the twists and turns are enjoyable. The greatest part of the journey is companionship, and we could have no better Companion than the Spirit of God, “Christ in you,” the One who promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Someday soon I will trade my road trip for a flight. Jesus will come, and I will be “caught up…to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). I hope you are planning to take that trip with me! Until we take that final flight, we must make the most of every mile marker along life’s road. Keep enjoying the journey…and look for Him along the way!

The Lord’s message to Elijah is true of us: “…the journey is too great for thee.” (1 Kings 19:7). But God is great enough for the journey. Enjoy Him, and you will enjoy the journey!

WATCH: The Root of Lasting Joy

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About Scott Pauley

READ: How to Enjoy the Journey

How to Enjoy the Journey