Curious Journeys - Opening Post

Curious journeys.
Life is a journey...and a series of journeys.
I am learning to cherish the journey, the process of becoming, rather than focusing on the destination, while at the same time, keeping my eyes on the eternal Goal and near-term goals.

A clear example of this is the marathon--the best part of running a marathon is not actually the race (that's quite painful), but the process of training for it, the weeks and weeks (and hours and hours) of discipline, focus, setbacks, triumphs, humility, camaraderie, perseverance, determination, mental strength, physical strength, etc. that is cultivated along the way. One is a different person, not only because of completing a race, but because of the transformative journey that brought one there. 

Of course, there is the journey of the spiritual life, which contains many parallels to that of a marathon. There is the journey of dating and finding one's spouse, and growing through marriage and family.  I need not go on listing the journeys we are all on in our individual ways. We should not avoid or despise the waiting, detours, and obstacles (assuming we are walking with the Lord), but prayerfully face them head-on, seeking to learn what we can and operate in the strength that only our Maker can provide. For the Lord is most concerned about our ultimate sanctification--which comes through the journey--and less about our ego or expectations or personal comfort along the way.

So in these journeys, life takes us in some curious and unexpected directions.  Some extremely uncomfortable and disconcerting, others exciting and amusing.  Thankfully, we have a Guide who sees and understands all, in ways we cannot fathom (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are asked to follow with a responsible balance of Faith and Reason.

When I watch Curious George with kids on PBS, a sponsoring commercial says, "We believe that curiosity leads to a lifetime of learning, and that's why we are proud sponsors of Curious George."  Indeed, curiosity does lead to a lifetime of learning--may we continue to be open and intellectually and spiritually honest in our life's journeys, that we may never cease to learn of the Lord's glorious wonders and purposes for His children.