Dierks Bentley has a song called "Every Mile a Memory" in which he talks about missing his lady everywhere he goes because everything makes him think of her. The title of the song made me think..
I know I come across a little manic depressive on this blog at times. It's true; I have strong ups and downs. I am that kind of person. The whole thing is a journey toward something, though. I wish I could click my heels and be "home," to that elusive place of rest, but I am not yet there. And, as cliched as it sounds, the journey is as important as the destination.
Every mile is a memory.
Every mile, I learn about God somehow, about His faithfulness when I am unfaithful, His love when I am weak, His patience when I am frail. I learn about his realness when I feel my grasp on reality slipping. I learn about his power when I witness Him doing something I cannot do. I learn about His strength when I collapse and He must carry me again.
The journey cannot be easy because it is so very valuable. Satan may care little whether I get my carcass into a pew every Sunday or remember to pray for my lunch. But without a doubt, he is invested in whether or not I reach a place of wholeness and experience God's love as it really is. He will do everything he can to prevent me from reaching this place.
And so, the road is a long one, and there are three people on this trip, me, God, and Satan. Every mile is a memory of an enemy who destroys and a Father who defends, a Jesus who rescues, and a Spirit who empowers. Every mile, the enemy attacks, and the Savior wins.
Some miles, I choose to fight in my own strength, and the enemy has temporary power. I used to think this meant he was winning. Not so. Even his seeming wins become victories for God as they are worked into the final plan. Feeling my own losses brings God's grace and mercy into even clearer focus-a great victory in itself as I learn more about Him.
I trudge wearily along, only to find myself, at the moment of collapse, swept into the arms of grace. Some day, my heart will respond to this grace more fully. For now, I mark each mile with a marker of memory, like the stones the children of Israel explained to their children. One mile, joy. The next, pain. Another, forgiveness. Each mile a memory of love, each mile a memory of Him.
In retrospect, the miles most seemingly devoid of His presence were the ones most full of Him.
What are some of the lessons you've learned on your life journey? What memories do you have from the miles you've come so far?
Comments (5)
Very awesome post. I am reading one of Billy Graham's many books right now, and he talks about how Satan will do anything he can to keep people from believing in God, or living it. Graham basically said that Satan began waging war in Heaven from the moment he fell, now the war has come down to earth; Satan is in a fight to the death with God and His great army, he will do whatever it takes to win our loyalty.
I have learned that pride is very deadly, we must be on our guard against it; basically we have to become dead to our ego. Through the years I have learned that things down on here on Earth mean very little compared to the enriching life of faith. Through all of the worldly pain we go through each day we are lead closer to God, we are forced to think about a greater meaning to this mediocre life. A Goo Goo Dolls song that usually plays in my head goes "don't it make you sad to know that life is more than who we are," well it makes me very glad actually.
So far the memories I have of this journey are one of holidays with my cousins and family in days when I didn't have the doubt I do now in my mind. I am currently wondering if I will be the only one of us kids at least, to retain these values of faith. I do have a lot of journey ahead of me, but I hope to turn others around me so that they can come to the light rather than dwell in the shadows.
I wish I could feel God's presence now.
@blonde_apocalypse@xanga - I am praying for you.
When I heard that song I also had the feeling of knowing that each mile brings me closer to God.
My mom is visiting me in Korea right now. I asked her if she wants to take a bus ride to Seoul, which is a 4 hour trip. She didn't want to just sit on the bus, but I told her "Now that you're here, everything you do is sightseeing. It's all new." In other words, she's already at the destination. Everything she does here is what she came to see.
So, that is my example to say that: at the moment, I think the journey is the destination.