It’s not that I don’t enjoy the journey; I really do.
I enjoy seeing new places and faces and am one of those people who like to read
road signs along the way. When I travel, I like to use the time to listen to
teaching tapes, or music, or get into a great conversation with a friend; not
stop at every place that crosses my path.
I enjoy sitting with uninterrupted time; it was one of
the things I enjoyed doing with my father-in-law when he was alive. The two of
us spent many hours in a vehicle back and forth to the family cabin while it
was under construction.
But, when I am on a long road trip, I like to get to
where I am going with no delays. This sprang up for me recently; I had been on
a lot of road trips for family, vacation, and ministry. “We are leaving in five
minutes”; I will tell fellow traveling companions. “Use the bathroom now
because we aren’t stopping until we get there!” The goal has been set; get to
the destination.
And, with each trip, the goal was still the same; get
to wherever I needed to get in the shortest amount of time. And yet, with each
trip there were “delays” such as a flat tire on a friend’s trailer, as well as
traveling with people who needed to use the restroom or to fill their vehicle
up with gasoline. Really; you would think that with all of our technology they
could make a 16-passenger van that could drive over 400 miles and not have to
stop for gas and that people could “hold-it” for six to seven hours while
consuming large amounts of beverages!
There is something in me that is not content with
being in between where I am at and where I am going; something that reminds me
that I am not there yet. This has always been true for my life and I know that
it may drive some people a little nuts.
This is especially true when I am heading back home. I
long to be at the place where I am supposed to be; “home”. Simply put, I am a long,
long way from my home and I won’t be
fully content until I arrive. I find myself maneuvering a vehicle over and
through all obstacles like an Indy 500 driver racing towards the checkered flag
at the end of a long race.
I think that part of the reason that I long for home
when I am on the road is because I really long to be with those whom I love;
especially Cathy if I am traveling without her. I also very much miss hearing
and seeing all of my children and grandchildren.
I think that part of the reason that I
long for home when I am on the road is because eternity has been set in my
heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11a). Simply put, I am a long, long way from my home and I won’t be fully content until I arrive. I've been a
pilgrim on this earth since the day of my birth. I'm a long, long way from my
home...
The Apostle Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20)
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