Lessons on the Road 3

Chat #3: The Long Distance Trip

It has been said that when you are travelling, getting there is half the fun. The other half is doing what you plan to do once you get there. If “getting there” is indeed half the fun than we should plan the trip well. I have made return road trips from Toronto to Vancouver Island, from Toronto to St. John’s, and from Toronto to Florida. Besides my wife, I have had kids, a dog, and a cat at various times and in various combinations. Sometimes I have driven around the clock, and sometimes taken almost a week to get to the destination. The secret to enjoying the trip is planning and preparation. Taking time to do this will add fun to the experience.

As Christians we anticipate the end of our journey. We look forward to Heaven. But what about the “getting there” part? Do we have to wait until we get there before we experience happiness? I don’t think so. Jesus said that He came to give us “abundant life.” He said He came to give us His joy. The Bible contains many verses about God’s faithful having the “joy of the Lord.” Like any road trip there will be times when we experience bumps on the road, but in spite of that travelling with Jesus is a joy-filled experience. Begin each day with God. Plan with Him what you will do today. And don’t wait for Heaven before you begin to laugh.

1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,