And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. (Num. 13:30)
Life is a journey. As it is unique to every journey, there is always a destination in view and the paths from our initial or start point to that destination is marked and understood. So as one journeys, notice is taken of landmarks and areas that one passes that assures one of being on the right way and the progress made towards the planned destination.
As one progresses, if there are no delays, detours or distractions, a sense fulfilment and achievement is attained not because the destination is reached but progress is attained as the journey continues. As the journey progresses, one goes through various and divers land terrain, vegetation, forestation, hills and valleys. One may even encounter massive river courses that must be crossed if one must get to the planned destination. As it is also commonly experienced, one may even pull over at designated rest/service areas to rest, refresh, renew and recover from the stress of the journey. These and other related events and experiences are the constituents of our natural journey to move or travel from one point to another.
The most important feature of the journey to reaching our planned destination is that we did not abandon or quit on the journey. The critical caution is never to abandon the journey. We may stop to rest, move fast or slow but must never abandon the journey if we must get to our destination.
It is also important to note and gain cognizance of every experience along the journey including at rest stops. Every part of the journey constitutes our experiences during the journey including sleeping in the vehicle about those being chauffeured; recall Jesus also “was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:” (Mark 4:38). Just as every inch of the distant must be covered to reach destination, so the experiences along the journey must be gained – that’s the composition of the whole journey.
As we journey through life therefore, there are designated but different paths we must each take, different paths because of varied destination and consequently different experiences. We each must however value our unique experiences as a necessary influence/outcome of our unique destination. These experiences are necessary to equip and prepare us for the destination in view including the uncheckered sense of achievement that we survived all the treacherous and perfidious occasions as encountered by Joseph, one must encounter during the journey.
All spots, sports along and through the journey are uniquely designed for each one to make the journey both complete and total. It is important to note that not all experiences are necessarily unpleasant rather there are occasions that make the journey so fascinating and fun filled that one may be tempted to exchange that spot for destination. This must be carefully understood and avoided.
“If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. (Numbers 14:8-9 KJV)