I chewed on my words.

Last week I had the opportunity to go back to the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago to visit one of the first places I call home- a place that has my family and friends.
 
I was going to go out with my two sisters and mom was debating on whether or not to tag along. This is probably what the conversation sounded like.
 
She asked us, “Where are you going? When will we be back home?”
 
“I don’t know. Grab some sushi and go… places… I don’t know.” I said.
 
After a little bit of repetitive banter of the same statements, I told her:
 
“Is the destination more important then who you’re going with?”
(I mean, after all, I’m going… does anything else really matter?)
 
She ended up coming with us and it was a great outing that helped fulfill my cravings of things from home.
 
I know the quote is, “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.”

 

After journeying with fifty-one others around the world, I can testify that who you go with matters. As I reflect on this unique time in my life, I can’t help but feel thankful for all the people who have been a part of my own journey- people who have supported me, prayed for me, laughed with me, challenged me, and loved me.
 
Most of all, it makes me thankful for the Lord:
 
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” -Deuteronomy 31:8
 
Not only is God with you, but he goes before you – he knows what’s ahead, and doesn’t lead you into anything that is unknown to him (and this is where we are to trust him and his leading). 
 
And with the same words I had used with my mother, I chewed on them too.
 
I had to use them in my own life:
 
Is my journey, my destination, really more important than the one who I’m going with? When will this or that thing happen?
 
But it’s not my journey. It’s not my destination. It's not my timing.  More and more I’m learning that the journey and the destination are not about me, but my obedience to the one I’m going with- obedience unto the one who gives me life.