“He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there" (‭‭Gen ‭12‬:‭5‬)

The Journey 

In 2002, with what we sensed was the Lord's leading with regards to personal development,  our family of four set out on a journey that we believed would lead to increased ministry impact and fruitfulness. As full time ministers with no source of monthly income, it was a true test of our faith.

But make no mistake: although there is 

a temptation to ignore or try to cut short

 certain parts of the middle of the journey, 

what transpires there

 is just as significant 

as the departure and arrival. 

Prayers for inner strength and reassurance of the Lord's direction were offered on many days and nights.  Three years later, we arrived at that country and the school that the Lord had laid on our hearts.

I learnt a lot of life lessons between getting ready and the actual moment we left our country.  A journey that I thought was about school turned out to be filled with lessons from everyday life. Little did I know how valuable those lessons would be in the years following the journey.

Abraham's Journey

In obedience to the call, Abraham packed up his wife, nephew, other members of his household, and all of his belongings and traveled from Haran to Canaan. We are not told about the complexity or ease of their journey, we are not even told how long the journey took. All that  we are told is that they all took off together and arrived at their destination. Because ultimately, what will matter most is that you obeyed His instructions and arrived at the location or result He planned.

There are consequences for Overlooking Aspects of the Journey

But make no mistake: although there is a temptation to ignore, try to cut short, or skip certain parts of the middle of the journey, what transpires there is just as significant as the departure and arrival. 

This is due to the fact that your experiences in between help you get there, equip you for life once you arrive, and create a narrative that will benefit others as they travel similar paths. Those who disregarded this fact discovered that: 

1) Losses sorrows and regrets

They arrived at their destination with many losses, sorrows, and regrets, or they did not arrive at all (Acts 27:27-28:5). 

2) Safe arrival and transformed lives

Those who, through patience and endurance, committedly concentrated on this truth did not only arrive at their destination; they also came to the realization that they had become a better version of themselves.

How are you handling your journey?

Prayer:  Father, I ask for grace to patiently navigate every step of my journey; may I be keen and eager to learn all that I need to learn so that I can be the person you need me to be for where you are taking me, in Jesus name.