At our Central Prayer meeting in February, Rich Webb stated thatit was not necessarily the departure point or destination that is important butthe encounters we have on the journey that were important.
In the context of what he was talking about he was, of course,absolutely right but for me the journey started at the Cross and that is alwaysimportant. For it is at the Cross thatwe encounter the true nature of God, His overwhelming love for each of us, Hisgrace, His mercy and His purpose for our lives. It is at the Cross that we encounter light, life and truth, and forthose of us who have chosen to follow Him it is the start of an incrediblejourney.
Each of us is on a unique and personal journey although we doshare it with others along the way but the journey is never about us but aboutthe opportunities it gives us to share the gospel message, to feed the hungry,bring gifts to the poor, reach out to the lost and bring healing to the sick.
This is reflected in the journey of Tychicus, from Rome to Colosse. In the first century this would have been anarduous and dangerous journey by land and sea but Paul has the confidence tosay “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, afaithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord”. Tychicus recognised that the journey was notabout him but his purpose was to tell the Colossian church the news about Paul,who was imprisoned in Rome . How many of us would want to talk about ourown journey in such circumstances? It isnot about us, it has never been about us but about those we are called toserve!
We can never underestimate what God is doing in our lives as wecontinue our journey and we need to focus on the opportunities He provides forus. However, it doesn’t hurt to considerthe final destination. If we do so ithelps us to live in the reality of our salvation.
A very good article. Our journey does begin at the cross and we do need to fix our eyes on our eternal destination but every day is important - so we need to be always ready to give account of our testimony and always be willing to listen to what God is saying and obey. God works in mysterious ways so we always need to be aware that change will be inevitable as God is forever moving forward and we need to be willing to follow where He leads.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how we can often find ourselves down a path we never would have dreamt of - but it is a path God has chosen out for us - and numerous blessings descend upom us - sometimes from what may seem at the time tragic events!
Trust and obey for there is no other way - to be happy in Jesus - but to trust and obey!