While looking at this picture, we can view this from different perspectives. One perspective can be looking ahead as something long and daunting. It can be overwhelming to see how much further to get to your destination and give up “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 119:133, NKJV). Or you can choose to rush to the finish line, missing out on the many blessings along the way, “Seven times in a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments. Great peace has those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119: 164-165, NKJV). Moreover, we can continue on this journey with the knowledge that Jesus is for us, and He will give us the strength we need to persevere, “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thess. 3:5). On the other hand, we can view this as a celebration of how far we have come from where we began; I do love looking back and reflecting on what the Lord has done for me in my journey.
I admit, there are times I feel discouraged and want to give up; I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know what God’s plan is for my life, and I am okay with that. I don’t need to see the blueprint of my future because I already know where I am heading. I like to see myself as halfway home.
In our Day’s Journey, we don’t need to race to get to the finish line. We can stop and rest for a moment and internalize good relationships with our parents, family, or friends, and listen to their struggles, or share our own. We can be an encouragement to each other without trying to fix one another. Please share a few tears and laugh at each other’s silly jokes, even when they are not funny. Or we can stop and soak in our children and grandchildren’s love, laughter, and silliness. We can bask in the love of our pet or show love to a pet at a local shelter. We can pour out the same kindness we have received towards an elderly neighbor, or at a local rest home for the older person who feels forgotten. Every day we pass someone on the same path. We can greet them with a smile. Give a bottle of water to a homeless person for their thirst, or give them food for their hunger. Jesus says, “For I was hungry and gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35-36, NKJV).
God gives us opportunities every day to bless and share His loving kindness with others in our Day’s Journey, but we need to stop for a moment and look for ways to make life more meaningful for others instead of rushing to get to our finish line. If we stop and look, we can see God’s Handiwork in every detail in our Day’s Journey.