The last STEPS blog article on “The Journey” was a parable of a man’s hike along the Appalachian Trail. This one outlines the underlying themes of that story—the meaning of the journey.
As a child, we move toward whatever fascinates us, naturally living in the moment. As we grow up, circumstances and insecurities impact our emotional well-being, so we contrive new methods— healthy or harmful—to deal with our pain.
Without realizing it, some of those coping mechanisms may stay with us for decades.
In our teens and twenties, we explore the world more purposefully, seeking to meet our wants and needs in the process. We begin to chart our own path, not sure which direction to go, but intent on finding our way. We try out lifestyles to find one that meets our needs.
Along the way, life gets serious. Unconsciously, we lose our sense of adventure and run heads down toward accomplishment, defining our identity by what we do and what others think of us. Rather than focusing on making a contribution, we are consumed by appearances.
Life gets more serious as we face trials due to circumstances or as consequences of our mistakes. We realize we are heading in the wrong direction, and self-doubt and worry lead to compulsions or addictions to fill a void we barely understand. But, hopefully, we recognize the importance of community and stay connected to friends and family we can share life with along the way.
Many of us struggle forward, thinking we can get things back under control on our own, but we are lost, and we don’t even realize it. We don’t know what we don’t know. Others turn to God as their guide, recalculating their direction—the only true north—and perhaps finding real meaning for the first time in their lives
Our surrender to faith leads us to peace and joy. We rediscover wonder, developing a balance for living in the moment as we find purpose and move toward significance. As we near the end, if we have stayed true to the path, we see our life—the journey—made sense all along.
The Principles of the Journey
Did any of that story seem familiar?
We all go through stages in life. Hopefully, we encounter epiphanies—large or small—along the way that serve as milestones for identity, contribution, community, meaning, and purpose. The good news is that there are principles that can help us along the way:
- Life is a journey – Our life has seasons defined by age, circumstances, and our perspective. When we see it as a journey, our focus is on progress rather than perfection. We learn that trials are temporary side trips and opportunities for growth. Life is an exciting adventure if we stay true to our values, pursue big dreams, and cherish our relationships along the way.
- Seek the right direction –To navigate our journey, we need to know which way to go, even when we can’t see far ahead. It’s our choice to live intentionally, think and pray about where we should go in the long term, and then take small steps that lead us in that direction.
- Using God as your guide – We aren’t meant to travel alone. And whether we realize it or not, we are not really in control of many aspects of our life. But we do choose what, or Whom, to use as a guide. That is the biggest choice of all, and it affects every aspect of our journey.
- Make life better – Life brings good and bad circumstances creating ups and downs along our journey. But there are proven principles we can learn to prevent problems and make the most of each day. Life will never be perfect, nor will we, but we can make it better.
- By taking the next right steps – A journey is a series of steps, and we take them one at a time. Our job is to make good choices on what we control and let go of the rest. Then, we can move forward each day and sleep well at night, enjoying life and doing the next right thing.
“Life is a journey. Seek the right direction using God as your guide. Make life better by taking the next right steps.” (from the book “STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life”)
Question: For your life, what is the meaning of the parable about “The Journey?”
Next Right Step: Re-read both articles on “The Journey” and meditate on what they mean for you.
