journey vs destination

i can't decide what's more important, the journey or the destination.

some might say that you shouldn’t be too concerned with the destination and instead focus on the journey. a journey filled with self-discovery and a clearer understanding and appreciation for the world and god is of far greater importance. on your journey, you must recognize that it is impossible to know where you will arrive. you can spend a lifetime dreaming of a destination that you will never reach, or for that matter, does not exist. you might be so invested in a particular goal that you forget to live. forget to reflect on the beauty of the world. to appreciate the simple things that are all around you. have you ever been driving on the highway, totally focused on your destination, the time, the day's tasks, that you don't see the rolling hills, the meadows, all of the breathtaking colors of the landscape? i have to say, there were times on my drive from roanoke to charlottesville in virginia, where i was hit so hard by the beauty of the surrounding countryside that i imagined parking my car beside the road and roaming the grassy meadow and laying out in the sun for the day. no one would ever know. maybe i'll like it so much that i'll stay. become a shepherd like moses (do shepherds even exist anymore?). unfortunately, my day dream was never realized. i had too much to do. besides, i would begin to doubt my own sanity if i did something like that. moments like those, the journey was overcome by the destination.

on the other hand, you could argue that without a clear and defined destination, the journey will be reduced to a series of arbitrary experiences. and where's the satisfaction or fulfillment in that? every great achievement was reached by being devoted to a certain goal and not straying from it (accidental achievements like the invention of the potato chip are a rare exception). the destination is important because it gives us something to hope for, to strive toward. to be focused on the journey seems so irresponsible. and a bit selfish. like wanting to live in lala land, where my satisfaction right now takes precedent over my priorities. imagine if every cancer researcher decided to take a leave of absence to stop and smell the roses. doesn’t sound very noble or conscientious.

see what i mean? it isn’t easy to decide. but i wonder what side of the debate god would choose. bear with me as i imagine what he might say. the journey is important because you won’t always reach the destination you set for yourself. you might think, this is where i want to be, this is what i need to have, this is the girl i want to marry. but don’t be naive john, you know better. i need you to live one day at a time. remember when i said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself"? that was meant for you too you know. but don’t worry, i will take care of you i promise. and what i have in store for you is beyond your wildest imagination. as long as you trust me, your journey will be one of abundant happiness. i will anoint your head with oil and your cup will overflow. goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in my house forever. and don’t worry, you’ll get all the rolling hills and meadows you can ever want. in fact, i have a place with green pastures and still waters that you might like. but john, the debate isn’t settled yet. i need you to set your sights on a destination too. i'm not going to tell you focus on heaven, that's too easy. i know you can follow the rules and do no harm, but a lot of people are capable of that. instead i want you to focus on heaven here on earth. love like i did. really love, tell people you love them. forgive them too. remember when i told you, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." what you'll find, john, is that the journey and the destination aren’t all that different really. my journey will lead you to a destination of peace and happiness, and likewise, my destination will fill your journey with fulfillment and joy.