“Trips, Travels, and Journeys”      

What are your dream destinations?  Do you have places in this world that you’d love to see in person instead of on a National Geographic special or a PBS program?  Some of us do get to fulfill those dreams, while others find enjoyment and interesting sights closer to home.  It’s exhilarating to go where you’ve never been, as you take in new sights, learn about a culture or a natural environment, and truly broaden your horizons.    We speak of going places with a variety of words, but “taking a trip” or “traveling” are probably the most common terms.  Most of us aren’t likely to describe ourselves as “going on a journey” probably because it’s not an expression we use very often.  Between some biblical references and dictionary definitions, it’s interesting to learn more substantial meanings for a journey.  Besides travel, it’s considered to involve a long distance, often in dangerous or difficult circumstances, generally without regard to the amount of time it takes.     The phrase “Lenten Journey” has been used to describe these 40 days so often that it feels a little overused, but it’s very appropriate, and it’s hard to find another as fitting.  A spiritual journey can be an opportunity to learn, to develop and deepen our understanding of the ministry and the message of our Lord.       When it comes to going a long distance, possibly involving difficult circumstances, and not considering the amount of time it takes, modern Americans would find this loose, kind of sloppy approach as disconcerting.   We often see travel as a project that needs to be organized and accomplished, but a journey of the spirit is different, and it can’t be scheduled or quantified.  It’s unique to every individual, and as we take time to reflect, to read, to pray, and to learn to listen to God’s word with our hearts, each of us will go at the pace that we need, and take however much time we need.     The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry are, in many ways, a three-year journey.  Jesus and his disciples trudged the rough, dusty roads of a fairly small geographic area, teaching, healing, and sharing the message of love and forgiveness.  Jesus spent as much time as was needed as he spoke with and listened to people, went to their homes to heal the sick and disabled, and stayed with the crowds who had gathered to hear him as long as they wanted.  These travels would probably appear random if we mapped them, but the purpose was not to go from one point to another, it was to go to people who needed their ministry.     The lessons, the words of love and forgiveness, and the assurance of salvation through Christ resonate throughout history, continuing to tell of God’s love for his people are as relevant for this troubled world as they could ever be.  Furthermore, we know that we don’t journey alone, as we have Christ’s eternal promise:  “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 27:20b) 

Grateful to be on the journey,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers