“Now This Was Worth the Journey” by Justin March

“Now this was worth the journey!”  As I stood on the edge of the canyon overlook,
this phrase ran through my mind.  After driving through miles and miles of
desert landscape, we finally pulled into the park that would lead us up to The
Gates of Lodore.  We made the trek up the slippery slope, avoided the
cactus that lined the way, and tiptoed the edges of the canyon walls.
Every obstacle was overcome, the less than beautiful landscape was traveled,
and the final destination was in our grasp.  And as we hiked over that
final crest, I could not believe the beauty that lie before us.

The trip across
Northwestern Colorado was dry and dirty.  Full of sagebrush, rocky hills,
and cactus, this part of the country was definitely not some of the more
beautiful terrain I have traveled.  But I had great companions who made
the journey with me, and that made this trip through the wilderness much more
bearable.  And when we finally planted ourselves on that canyon overlook,
saw the incredible creation which is The Gates of Lodore, and marveled at the
beauty God had created, we knew the journey was worth it.

Sometimes my journey
with Jesus can be dry and dirty.  Sometimes there are obstacles that must
be overcome.  Sometimes the path will be slippery and full of undesirable
sights.  And sometimes I will be tiptoeing the edge to make sure I do not
fall off the cliff.  But as I travel through the wilderness of life, I
must enjoy every phase God wants me to encounter.  I must be thankful for
the companions he sends with me.  I must be forgiving of the times that
are less desirable.  And I must be patient as I make my way to that final
destination.

I know there will be a
day where I am standing on the overlook and enjoying the view.  I know
there will be a day when God has ended my journey and overcome all the
obstacles.  And I know there will be a day when the Gates of Lodore become
the Gates of Heaven, and I will marvel at the beauty God has created within
them.  But until that day, I must continue to make the journey.  I
must do what God asks, I must travel through areas that are less desirable, and
I must bring others with me along the way.

Brothers and sisters,
I pray that you accept the path God lays before you.  It may not always be
beautiful, it may not always be easy, and it may not always be straight.
But if you are intentional in your travel, if you enjoy your time with your
companions, and if you avoid falling off that cliff, I promise that there will
come a day where you are standing on the overlook of your life and telling
yourself, “Now this was worth the journey.”