- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
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- 17,078
The Journey! - March 16, 2006
"She replied, 'In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?' 22 But JESUS told them, 'You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?'" Matthew 20:21-22 21 (NLT)
In life, all of us have goals, dreams and ambitions of reaching a certain place. However, this dream that we want is not as important as the journey we have to travel. The journey that we experience while making our way to the realization of our dreams is what makes us. The journey changes us, and teaches us, and strengthens us, and ultimately provides us with every ounce of substance that is necessary for the "Promised Land" we are looking for.
>From the scripture above, James and John wanted to experience what Jesus was going to experience, however, Jesus quickly warned them that in order to do so, they would have to drink from the bitter cup He would drink from. This, in essence, means that they would have to go through what Jesus would go through.
How many of us desire to be like certain people because of what we see them possess? However, we are ignorant of the journey these people had to experience in order to reach the point they are at. If we knew the journey that many individuals had to make in order to have what they have, I'm pretty sure we would think twice about desiring to be like them. This is what Jesus wanted to make sure that James and John understood. He wanted them to be aware of the journey that accompanied their request.
When we ask the Lord for certain things in life, whatever they be, are we sure of what we're really asking? That is, are we aware of the journey that is necessary to realize our request?
In the Book of Exodus, while the Israelites were in Egypt, they cried out to the Lord for help. They desired freedom from slavery. However, from the stories provided, it often appears as if they were definitely not ready to go through what was needed in order for them to realize this dream. The journey God had in store for them had the purpose of preparing them, helping to shape their minds and hearts, so they would be ready for the "Promised Land". This journey was difficult, but it served to give them the substance needed to thrive and flourish in the place they were headed.
Today, the "Promised Land" is not as important as the journey to it. During the journey, your faith will grow, you will learn more about your heavenly Father, and you will gain the wisdom and strength needed for your land of promise. Don't forsake the journey, because without it, you'll never realize your dream!
Earl is currently a doctoral student at Southern Methodist University's Richard B. Johnson Center for Economics Studies in Dallas, Texas. His wife is currently in SMU's law school These devotions simply spring out of his daily walk with the Lord. Earl can be reached at: earlshaw@gmail.com
"She replied, 'In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?' 22 But JESUS told them, 'You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?'" Matthew 20:21-22 21 (NLT)
In life, all of us have goals, dreams and ambitions of reaching a certain place. However, this dream that we want is not as important as the journey we have to travel. The journey that we experience while making our way to the realization of our dreams is what makes us. The journey changes us, and teaches us, and strengthens us, and ultimately provides us with every ounce of substance that is necessary for the "Promised Land" we are looking for.
>From the scripture above, James and John wanted to experience what Jesus was going to experience, however, Jesus quickly warned them that in order to do so, they would have to drink from the bitter cup He would drink from. This, in essence, means that they would have to go through what Jesus would go through.
How many of us desire to be like certain people because of what we see them possess? However, we are ignorant of the journey these people had to experience in order to reach the point they are at. If we knew the journey that many individuals had to make in order to have what they have, I'm pretty sure we would think twice about desiring to be like them. This is what Jesus wanted to make sure that James and John understood. He wanted them to be aware of the journey that accompanied their request.
When we ask the Lord for certain things in life, whatever they be, are we sure of what we're really asking? That is, are we aware of the journey that is necessary to realize our request?
In the Book of Exodus, while the Israelites were in Egypt, they cried out to the Lord for help. They desired freedom from slavery. However, from the stories provided, it often appears as if they were definitely not ready to go through what was needed in order for them to realize this dream. The journey God had in store for them had the purpose of preparing them, helping to shape their minds and hearts, so they would be ready for the "Promised Land". This journey was difficult, but it served to give them the substance needed to thrive and flourish in the place they were headed.
Today, the "Promised Land" is not as important as the journey to it. During the journey, your faith will grow, you will learn more about your heavenly Father, and you will gain the wisdom and strength needed for your land of promise. Don't forsake the journey, because without it, you'll never realize your dream!
Earl is currently a doctoral student at Southern Methodist University's Richard B. Johnson Center for Economics Studies in Dallas, Texas. His wife is currently in SMU's law school These devotions simply spring out of his daily walk with the Lord. Earl can be reached at: earlshaw@gmail.com
