Hope as a road trip

Do you really know where you’re going?

Say you’re in San Diego, and you’re told to get on I-15 and “head to New York City.” Major road trip. You focus on New York, make your plans, and even start praying about New York. You clearly heard the words, “New York.” You’re excited. You envision experiencing the city. You make your reservations for the Empire State Building Observatory. You head out.

Days later, approaching a big cloverleaf intersection on I-80 in Pennsylvania, you’re told to take the exit and head south. Or maybe you hear nothing, you just confront a sign: All Roads To NYC Closed. This freaks you out. What’s the deal with that? You’ve been planning and dreaming and praying New York! You’ve driven for days! Now a change of plans? You’ve told everyone you’re going to New York! What about your hopes and dreams?

And you hear, “I never said we were going to New York. I said ‘head to New York.’”

You didn’t hear wrong. You didn’t mess up. God has not let you down.

You’re not always told the whole story up front. You may not know that until later. If you know the whole story, and it's long and tedious, you won’t plan all the steps needed to get there—you’ll jump ahead.

Sometimes the most important preparations for the ultimate destination are made in preparing for something else.

You may go to New York. You may go but not stay long. You may stay the rest of your life. You may take an exit at the last second, on the edge of the city, with the Empire State Building slowly moving from your windshield to your rear-view mirror.

Take ownership of the trip

Aim at the result; it’s the target, the thing God uses to focus us and keep us on track. But, without a direct promise from God, hold loosely the final destination.

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Comments

[Abbie]

Oh my, this one makes me think about expectations - I've been hoping and planning and thinking about New York City - I think especially women struggle with changes (or perceived changes) in the plan/destination. And we assume so many things - that we'll grow old with our spouses, that we'll get to see our kids grown and married, that no one will betray us, that our houses are safe. So many things that are all in God's hands and in his plan, but that we have no guarantee of. Misplaced hope can be devastating. Even when hoping the truth (God), we can mourn for what we expected the plan to be.

Wow, didn't realize I felt so strongly! I'll be done now, or go write this post on my own blog!

[Joy Manoleros]

The first time I read this was quick... food for thought. It's been niggling in the back of my brain ever since, reappearing in the most inconvenient of moments. I've worked on my degree on and off for 30 years. Graduation is FINALLY on the horizon, in May... and I've wondered if it's really how i'm supposed to use my art. I don't know. But I've had this inkling that maybe what it all LOOKS like isn't really its true purpose. Now I'm waiting and watching... holding loosely to the final destination...