• Start Here
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Prayer
    • Spiritual Disciplines
    • Trusting God
  • Prayer for the Week
  • Store
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Prayer and Possibilities | Prayer - Discipleship - Spiritual Disciplines - Discernment - Trusting God

Prayer & Possibilities

  • Deepen Your Prayers
  • Develop Your Faith
  • Step Into God’s Possibilities
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Learn to Love the Journey, Not Just the Destination

April 23, 2014 ·

Learn to Love the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Uncategorized

Sharing is caring!

185 shares
  • Facebook185
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

I was cruising down a rural highway when suddenly the RV in front of me came to a complete stop. I might have seen a sign about construction and signalmen ahead, but didn’t think much about it until we stopped.

This won’t take long. There’s not much traffic out today, I’m sure we’ll have our turn any minute now. Good music on the radio, so I’ll just sit here and sing along.

5 minutes ticked off the clock…

What is going on? I haven’t seen even one car come the other way. Did the signal man take a break? Just be patient. Still good sing-along music playing on the radio.

10 minutes…

Still no signs of any cars coming the other direction. Did the signal man fall asleep? Maybe I should get out and see what’s going on? I can’t see anything from behind this RV! Why are we stuck here for SO long!? Just be patient. You’re on vacation. There’s no where you need to be right now. There’s no rush to get to your destination.

15 minutes…

But I really want to get there! It’s what I’ve been waiting on for weeks! Be patient. The journey may be as important as the destination.

20 minutes…

Finally the RV in front of me begins to move. I still can’t see anything in front of me, but I’m grateful it’s finally our turn. Then we came to a bend in the road and I could see what was in front of us. A truck was leading us through a lengthy construction zone where crews were laying new asphalt. A sign on the back of the truck said: “Pilot Car Follow Me”. He was there to lead us safely through this work zone.

Photo Credit: Hieropenen via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: Hieropenen via Compfight cc

 

Sometimes “follow me” means “be patient and wait for the right time”.

How often do we get focused on the destination and forget to pay attention to the journey? We’re anxious to grow up, graduate from school, get that next job, get married, start a family, for our children to grow up, for the next step in our calling. But, maybe the journey’s just as important as the destination. Maybe it’s even more important?

The journey can be just as important as the destination.

Sometimes the journey can feel like an endless climb, but in that climb we are being prepared for what we'll find at the top.

Sometimes the journey can feel like an endless climb, but in that climb we are being prepared for what we’ll find at the top.

So, I slowed down and took notice of the scenery around me. I stopped for a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. I decided to focus on what I’m learning in the journey and not be so focused on the destination.  By slowing down and enjoying the journey, I arrived with a calm heart and ready to fully enjoy my destination.

Celebrating the end of this journey by dipping my toes in the cool waters of the Guadalupe River.

Celebrating the end of this journey by dipping my toes in the cool waters of the Guadalupe River.

Enjoying the destination after a long journey today.

Enjoying the destination after a long journey today.

When Jesus said “Follow me” to Peter, he was setting Peter out on a journey. Peter didn’t immediately become the bold evangelist we see later in Acts. No, he had to wait. Had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Had to wait as he practiced preaching and healing. It was through the journey Peter developed into the man Jesus called him to be.

The journey develops us so we’re prepared for the destination.

Yes, the destination is important and we need to have goals and identify where we’re called, but then we need to allow God to set the timeline and take us through His journey. It’s the journey, after all, that prepares us for the destination.

Where are you today? Impatiently waiting to get to your next destination? Or, are you allowing God to take you through the journey?  I’m often impatient, but this was my reminder to relax and live into the journey.

[callout class=”callout”]Subscribe today and receive these posts via email. Also give my new Facebook page a “Like”!

NOW AVAILABLE!  “Surrender Your Heart” A 21-day devotional to draw closer to the Holy Spirit.  Subscribe today to receive your FREE copy!

Surrender Your Heart 3D-small  [/callout]

 

Linking today with: Coffee For Your Heart, Wednesday Prayer Girls, Thought-Provoking Thursday, Essential Fridays, The Weekend Brew, Fellowship Fridays, The Friday Five

Other Posts You May Like

Previous Post: « He is Risen! Love is Come Again!
Next Post: What a 40-Year Friendship Looks Like »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sabra Penley says

    April 24, 2014 at 6:25 am

    Such a great message, Kathryn! Enjoying the journey has become a theme in my life. And sometimes the journey is pretty treacherous. But even in those times of suffering, there are blessings–sweet, precious, life-giving blessings–that allow us to see God’s hand and smile. Thankful for God’s work through your encouraging words!

  2. Doris S. Swift says

    April 24, 2014 at 6:49 am

    Just what I needed to read this morning Kathryn! Definitely a message we all need to remember. I love the beautiful pics you shared. Thank you for the encouragement today.

  3. blestbutstrest says

    April 24, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Thank you for this beautiful reminder to take time to enjoy the journey–sometimes, that’s where we learn the most important lessons :).

  4. Jennifer says

    April 24, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Aww you wrote this for me. It’s just perfect. Thanks Kathryn!!!
    Love
    Jennifer

    • Kathryn says

      April 24, 2014 at 11:07 am

      Trust me, it’s a lesson I needed to hear. I’m so anxious to reach the next step in my journey, but I needed this reminder to trust in God’s timing and use the journey to learn, grow and prepare. I did think of you after I wrote it, though 🙂 Appreciate the journey and just follow God’s pilot car wherever He takes you!

  5. Natalie says

    April 24, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Ooh! I enjoyed your words today. I love how you think and what you shared and enjoyed wandering around on your blog today. It was an uplifting visit. Thanks.

  6. Jeri Taira says

    April 24, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    Hi Kathryn, I’m visiting via Coffee For Your Heart linkup. How awesome that your stop turned into a guided journey. What a wonderful read today. Thank you.

  7. Susan @ My Place to Yours says

    April 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    I saw “Guadalupe River” and immediately thought “TEXAS!” This Texas transplant to Tennessee has many great childhood memories of Guadalupe River trips with family. 🙂

    I’m smack-dab in the middle of a season of slowing down and focusing on the present — and trusting God for the “unknowns” of the future. Your words are encouraging today. And, for the record, I do think the journey is probably more important even than the destination — until the *final* destination, that is!

  8. Kathryn says

    April 24, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Susan – yes, the Texas Hill Country! One of my favorite places on earth 🙂

    This lesson in the journey is a hard one for me. I’m a planner by nature and by profession, so it’s hard not to have all the steps outlined, end game defined and measuring progress toward those objectives along the way. But, being content in the journey is the message that I’m hearing loudest lately.

  9. Kaylene Yoder says

    April 25, 2014 at 6:04 am

    Sometimes “follow me” means “be patient and wait for the right time”. This is one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn. But waiting on His time never disappoints. Blessings!

  10. Wanda W. says

    May 1, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Kathryn, I tried leaving you a comment last week twice but for some reason got an error message. Thought I’d swing back by again. I’m one who often focus too much on arriving at the destination but appreciate the reminder that the all parts of the journey have value.

    • Kathryn says

      May 1, 2014 at 5:52 pm

      Wanda – thanks so much for coming back! I was having technical issues this week, but think I have them fixed now. Too much tinkering!

      I’ve been hearing lots of reminders lately to just let the journey unfold. Really hard for someone who likes to have a plan and know where I’m going!

  11. Christine says

    December 30, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Thanks for this wonderful insight, Kathryn. Yes, so often I need to focus more on the journey, not just the destination. We do end up learning and observing so many more blessings when we do that. God bless!

Trackbacks

  1. Fellowship Fridays 19, Featured Post & a chance to win! - Christian Mommy Blogger says:
    April 25, 2014 at 5:29 am

    […] Finding Hope: Learn to Love the Journey, Not Just the Destination […]

  2. Importance of Pilgrimage - What I Learned Walking a Labyrinth | Finding Hope says:
    April 28, 2014 at 5:31 am

    […] 1) Pilgrimage is about trusting God to lead you in a journey. In the Labyrinth, the path winds in ways you don’t expect and you can’t see what’s next, so you have to let go and trust in the journey. Pilgrimage is about spending time in prayer, listening for God. It’s coming to the realization that the end is simply the beginning of a new path. So, it’s not the end that’s important, but the journey. (Where have I heard that one before?)   […]

  3. Walking the Labyrinth: A Journey with God - Finding Hope says:
    March 24, 2015 at 8:25 am

    […] It is not a maze, but a single path that leads to the center and back. It will twist and turn, but you will not get lost. Walking the labyrinth can be experienced as a metaphor for your own spiritual journey with all its twists, turns, and meandering. The point is not to figure out how to get to the center, but how to take the next step with God. Focus on the journey, not the destination. […]

  4. Encircled in God's Arms - Finding Hope says:
    May 1, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    […] was reminded this weekend that life is a journey – and not often an easy one. Yet, the road becomes easier to travel when we take time to […]

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm glad you're here to journey with me! I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! Read More…

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible


BibleGateway.com

Footer

Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · beloved theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT