The Journey

     Psalm 16:11 affirms that Father God will “make known to me the path of life,” a promise that is amazing and precious to each follower of Jesus.  Much truth is contained in such a brief statement.

     First, there is a path, a way to walk that is life.  We tend to measure life in ways that don’t really matter.  Life is not about how many years you have, or how many pleasant memories you can remember, or how much stuff you accumulate, or what you may achieve.  Real life is relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ.

     Second, Father God wants me to walk on this path of life with Him.  That is why He will make the way known to me, step by step, all day every day.  I don’t need a map for this path.  With a map I’d tend to get ahead of Him or take some shortcuts.  I do need a guide— someone entirely dependable who will walk the path with me, leading the way.

     My goal in life is not a destination, although I tend to make it so.  On most trips I am focused on the destination, getting to a place.  In life I may focus on getting to marriage, or getting to where I have children, or advancing up the steps on the corporate ladder, or getting to retirement.  These are worthy accomplishments, but they are not the goal in life.  The goal is not a destination (even for a believer Heaven is not the goal of life).  The goal is the journey—the time spent with my Guide along the way.

     Let us press on each day in communion with Father God as He guides us on His path of life.