I can't wait to get on the road again!

(photo credit: Sorry, I can't remember where I found this one)

Mrs. Sweetie and I love to travel. One of the things we like most is the ability to stop at interesting places we see along the road.  I described our vacation a couple of years ago as our “Texas Tour of Diners, Thrift Stores, and Pawn Shops”.  For us, the trip matters as much as the destination.

For me, writing a weekly blog/newspaper column is much the same.  I am often asked how I manage to find something to write about every week.  The people who ask this usually ask because they can’t imagine coming up with new content that frequently.  The simple truth is that I can’t either.  Many times (like today, for example).  I just start typing and see where it goes.  I don’t have the destination planned in advance.  I’m just driving along looking for an interesting place to visit.

Fortunately, I am not composing the next great American novel, a revision of the Declaration of Independence, or a new translation of the Bible, so the pressure to be brilliant and/or profound is off (lucky for me and you).  I’m just sharing some observations along the journey of life and seeing where I notice God showing up.  I thought about saying that I am writing “reflections on the intersection of life and God”, but that’s really not a very good way to live.  We are missing a lot of the life that God intends if we are only occasionally intersecting with Him.

So, maybe I am writing “reflections on the parallel paths of life, walking side by side with God.” That one at least sounds like God and I are going the same direction, but I am really looking for something more than simply knowing that I am going the right direction on a parallel path. I want the intersection.  I want those moments when I am completely surrendered to and overwhelmed by a sense of His presence. 

So, what kind of reflections am I really seeking to share?  What is it about this journey that matters most?  Then I remembered the first four verses of Colossians chapter 3:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." [Colossians 3:1-4, New Living Translation, emphasis mine]

That’s it!  The goal is not that we be on parallel paths; it is that we are on the same path. Our lives matter so much to God that He wants us traveling His path: what I call the Christ-life.

Hmmm … “reflections of a Christ-life traveler”.  Let’s roll! I can’t wait to get on the road again.

How do you reflect on the journey of your life?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your perspective.