When parents take their children on a trip, invariably they will hear the question, “Are we there yet?” In response, they encourage their kids to have patience and enjoy the ride. Yet often parents, during their own journey with God, ask a similar question, “What’s taking so long?” God never seems to be in a hurry.
And the priest told them, “Go in peace. The LORD is watching over your journey.” (Judges 18:6, BSB)
There are times in life when we find ourselves on a journey focused on a specific destination and experiencing obstacles along the way. Some journeys are about accomplishing a challenging goal. Other journeys are about overcoming trials and may involve suffering. These can be special times with God if we realize that he is traveling with us.
Whether the journey lasts days, months, or years, we need to embrace the adventure with God so we will experience the joys and hardships together. As a result, our relationship with God will be closer and deeper.
It’s natural to want to get to our destination as soon as possible. But that is not God’s priority. He is interested in the journey and what he will accomplish in us along the way. Even obstacles and delays serve in his ultimate purpose.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8, NLT)
Why is the journey so important to God?
Relationships take time and they deepen as we share experiences along the way. God uses our journey time with him to deepen his relationship with us individually. Things happen which cause us to share our thoughts, hopes, and feelings with him.
God also uses the journey time to develop our character. It’s the potholes, detours, and difficulties along the way that provide opportunities to reshape and refine our attitudes and actions. When we finally arrive at our destination, God wants us to be thinking with his mindset. This takes time and it’s his goal we not become derailed from his plan, but champions of endurance.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3–4, NLT)
God is using the journey time to prepare the right setting and circumstances for our arrival at his destination. In his sovereignty, he is able to orchestrate events and arrange divine appointments. What seems like a delay or roadblock now may guarantee an exciting addition to the journey.
Don’t be in a hurry. Trust God’s pace for your journey. Along the way, he is accomplishing much more than you could ever imagine.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8, NIV)