18 April 2011

“It’s the journey, not just the destination that is important.”Anon.

It is amazing how destination orientated we are. It happens when we travel, its all about reaching our destination as quickly as we can. Our work seems to be focused on meeting our targets and getting the job done. Home seems to be all about getting the children fed, clothed and educated. Life is all about focusing on reaching the end goal! Even in the Church many a sermon is about getting saved so that we can go to Heaven one day. But should it not also be about the journey in reaching our destination!

Yesterday I had to travel down to Lusaka, which is 1000Km. I had two choices. Either I could climb in behind the wheel with my eyes set on Lusaka and just drive as quickly as lawfully possible to get there, or I could settle in and enjoy the journey. I decided on the later. Yes it took a whole hour longer, but it was more enjoyable and I did save quite a bit on fuel.

In a similar fashion I believe that God does not want our primary reason for salvation just to be so that we can go to heaven, but that together with Him we can enjoy the journey there. Our Christian faith should never seem to be a grind for the sake of the end goal. I believe that God wanted us and still wants us to enjoy the journey.

Last Sunday I was privilege to be invited down to Mpulungu to preach at a Baptist Church there. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. More ministry opportunities have also opened up in Mpulungu that I need to pray about. It sounds strange, praying about opportunities, but I can so easily over commit myself up here as there are so many opportunities for ministry.

These last two weeks we celebrated Charley’s birthday by going down to the Lake for the night. Oh God had given us such a beautiful creation! Sadly, our butchery in town has closed and so before they shipped the equipment out, I slaughtered our 9 year old ox. It was quite emotional as he was kind of part of our family. He was the first calf ever born to us. But we have such disease problems, that I either slaughter him for the freezer or bury him as he died of a disease. Freezer just sounds better.

At the moment I am on my way down to Cape Town to attempt the Two Oceans Marathon. It is 56Km of sheer beauty. I have always wanted to run it and now the opportunity has come. But again I remind myself not to just focus on the finish line, but to enjoy the Km before. The scenery is absolutely amazing! My pray is that I have the strength not only to finish the race but also to really enjoy the journey to the end!

God bless!