Journeys & Destinations

Today as I continued with my Bible art journaling, I realized something.  I've often heard folks talk about how it is the "journey, not the destination" that counts.  Of course, destinations DO count, but I'm beginning to understand that too often I let my concerns about the destination get in the way of enjoying the journey.  

I'm sure the page in the picture above looks somewhat familiar - but there are certainly differences between this and what I posted yesterday.  I'm finding that often, even when I THINK that a particular piece is complete, it isn't.  Already there have been several pages that I added to after posting them.  In this context, a text from Deuteronomy stood out to me today:

". . . the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go."  Deut 1:32, 33, NIV

Just like God guided the Israelites, He wants to guide me.  But even with God directing me, I won't always reach my destination immediately.  In those cases, He searches out places for me to camp along the way.  I think what happened yesterday was a good example of that.  I THOUGHT I was done with that particular journaling piece - but I wasn't!  It was just a camping spot before I continued my journey.

This is such an important life lesson for me!  I have a terrible time with time management sometimes.  Too often, I find myself stuck in one of three ways of doing things that don't serve me well:

1. I get so focused on completing a task, that everything else goes by the wayside.  I may get that specific task completed, but I haven't fixed proper meals for myself, haven't kept up with things around the house, haven't taken time to relax, etc. etc.    OR
2. I get so overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to do EVERYTHING that I quit before I start and don't get anything done!
3. I just give up and work on what is most appealing to me - regardless of whether or not it is most important in the moment.

Sometimes, I bounce back and forth between these approaches - starting with method 2 or 3 until something is time critical, and then moving to method one - burning the midnight oil as needed to finish what needs to be done.  Even when actively seeking God's guidance for my day, I too often get caught by the first thing He leads me to and focus so intently that I forget to listen to Him regarding when it is time to "camp" regarding that project.  

Father, thank you for your goodness to me and your willingness to guide me.  May I have ears that hear your direction and a willing heart to follow your lead.  May I listen to ALL the instructions - not just the first one! :)  Thank you for your patience with me.  Please lead me this day.  Father you know everything that I need to accomplish (and you know those things which really DON'T need doing too!).  I trust you to guide me to those things most important for me to accomplish this day - including not just the many "tasks" I see need to be done, but also things like spending time with you, taking care of personal things, taking time to relax.  Father, I know you know about the physical healing I need in my life, and I hear your words from Isaiah 58:8 "Your healing shall spring forth speedily".  Thank you, Father!  I am so grateful for your love.  I love you, Father!