Along the Way by Cara Blondo
Have you ever heard it said to focus more on the journey than the destination? If so, do you struggle to implement such advice in your pressure-filled days with deadlines to meet and responsibilities to shoulder? Do you long to respond to delays and interruptions filled with faith rather than frazzled; serene instead of stressed; and praising in place of complaining?
While that may sound too good to be true, and some days will be easier to prioritize the “journey” over the “destination” than others, one thing we can do is remind ourselves of the purpose of such interruptions, as so clearly seen in Jesus’s journey as He made His way to His ultimate destination: the cross.
One day as Jesus was on His way to Jairus’s home in order to heal his daughter (His day’s “destination”), a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years pushed through the crowds, reached out, and touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately the bleeding stopped. Immediately Jesus stopped. He asked, “Who touched Me? I know that power has gone out from Me.” The result? The scared, trembling woman fell at His feet and heard the words she never could have imagined hearing: “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Earlier in the same chapter (Luke 8), Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” They climbed into the boat and began to cross to the other side (another “destination”). After Jesus fell asleep, a fierce storm arose. Fearful for their lives, they woke Him up, shouting, “We’re going to drown!” Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, the storm calmed down, and the disciples were amazed.
In both instances, Jesus set out for one reason and one purpose but someone interrupted – or something happened – “along the way.”
In the case of traveling to Jairus’s home, the interruption led to a woman’s healing and her encountering the Christ. In the moments that followed, multitudes heard her testify of the mighty power of God.
In the case of crossing the lake, the purpose was presumably a simple one: to get to the other side. Yet the interruption of the storm allowed the disciples to encounter Christ, be convinced of His power, and for their faith to grow.
Whether it is to show His power or His tenderness, for others to hear of His glorious deeds or an opportunity for our own faith to grow, every God-ordained interruption always involves the purpose of encountering Christ, knowing He is God, and having our hearts turned toward Him.
As we go on our way, with a purpose in mind and a mission to accomplish – a destination to reach – let us have eyes to see the moments along the way the Lord is allowing – even ordaining – in order for us, or others through us, to encounter Him, recognize His power, experience His healing touch, or stretch our faith.
In doing so, we will likely discover the destination is actually less about reaching a desired end and more about reaching a desired posture and purpose of heart.
Every moment along the way is meaningful and packed with purpose. We are invited to entrust the destination – and the day’s journey complete with its interruptions and delays – to Him.
Will you trust Him?
Cara would love to connect on The One Thing Desired blog (www.theonethingdesired.com), on Instagram (@the_one_thing_desired) or Facebook (@theonethingdesired), and through her podcast, Perspective Shifts (found wherever you listen to podcasts).