Our Journey: As Important As The Destination

Pastor Randy Corbin, Transitional Lead Pastor

It has taken me awhile to recognize that fact.  For too long my single focus has been on accomplishing the task, the goal, the initiative, solving the problem, or getting through a certain stage.

So, with resolve, I have given attention to resolving the conflict, managing the illness/injury, and figuring how to handle the debt.  Of course, in each one, I have asked God to go before me and with me to tackle the challenge and sometimes wondering why God has brought certain obstacles into my life.  I just want to get through it (whatever it is).

Not to be a pessimist, but, my life hardly ever goes unhindered.  Now that is an exaggeration because I have had extended times where issues coming my way are minor.  However, from time to time, trouble elbows its way into my path and I find myself asking why they have come.  It/they are ruining my day.

What I have discovered through the years, however, is that I have placed way too much focus on getting through this and I have totally ignored the journey.  While I have cast my attention on the success and failure of the destination, i.e. did I reach my vision or dream, God was at times more interested in what was happening to me in the midst of the journey.  It was I who placed the emphasis on the destination but God was more interested in developing me than on the measures of success that I established.

I am convinced that this is true not just about us individually but corporately as well.  Certainly, God wants us to identify our next shepherd, but just as important (maybe more?) is that He wants to build/stretch/deepen us as a congregation – in a way He could not do when we have a lead shepherd in place.

So, it is right to ask God to show us not only the destination but the journey as well.

At the end of the journey, when the Master announces, “well done Thou good and faithful servant” it will not just be for what we have done but for what we have become.  And, I wonder if He may be even more interested in not what is in our hand but what is in our heart.

So, the journey we are on is just as important as our destination, and what are we becoming as important as what we are doing.

Thanks for becoming with me!