Day 1
I never walk alone
For the joy set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
As part of prescribed therapy, I walk for an hour each day. I have carved out one-hour routes around my neighborhood, varying my paths and my patterns to avoid sameness and boredom.
Sometimes midway through my walk, I realize that my current path would take me farther away from home. But getting home is not the point. Not yet anyway. Even though "home" is my final destination, I cannot return until I complete my goal and accomplish the purpose for my walk.
My daily walks have given me new perspective about the whole issue of "journeying." They have caused me to reflect on our human preoccupation with "ends" and "outcomes", and "destinations." Often at the expense of the journey itself.
Yet ironically, it's in the journey that much is realized—whether we are walking around the neighborhood, or traveling through life. It is on the long road that we discover, endure, enjoy.
"Hope your road is a long one" is a repeated line from C. P. Cavafy's poem Ithaka. A strange wish to confer on a traveler, even one who is a mythical character. But it is in the "marvelous journey" to Ithaka that the poet believes Odysseus would become wealthy with all... gained on the way... Ithaka has become synonymous with the idea of "finding joy in the journey."
But the long road is not just for mythical heroes. It is often a part of God's purpose, His plan and His design for our growth, our maturity, our protection, our best. We see this illustrated in the Israelites' journey out of Egypt:
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-18).
Yes, God has much to teach us on the long road. Lessons of wisdom, lessons of endurance, lessons of purpose, lessons of prevailing. And if we take the time to notice, our long road is often, to borrow the poet's line, "full of adventure, full of discovery". Full of joy, full of anticipation.
We are encouraged by the example of Jesus, who pressed on through extreme opposition for the joy set before Him. He endured the cross, scorning its shame... (Hebrews 12:2)
So I walk on, trying to take all the lessons in stride. In walking I learn that try as I might, I cannot always anticipate, or plan around the weather. I learn that I can outrun some storms, and that others will drench me to the the bone.
In walking I learn to relish the serenity of solitude, the calm of contemplation, the peace of prayer. I learn that God is with me and I am never alone. And when I come to the last hill and think I have nothing left, the reserves of energy surge from hidden stockpiles of endurance and then I am home.
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