Yesterday I went for a run and then decided to take a bike ride to the neighboring town from where I am vacationing. I had driven to the town just a few days prior and recall thinking how close it was – it quite literally seemed to be nearly side by side in my memory, maybe one short stretch of highway in between. As I pedalled my way there, I was taking in the sights around me and soon enough I felt as though I had been pedaling for quite some time – longer than I thought it would take to get there.

I kept thinking ‘I’ve got to be almost there.’ I would pass by landmarks and buildings I didn’t recall seeing on the drive over and then something familiar would pop into view and I’d think to myself, ‘I’m definitely getting closer’ as I would continue on my way. This pattern repeated itself several times on my journey.

The familiar points in between were enough incentive for me to continue carrying on. As I would spot something familiar I would gain confidence I was close to my final destination. A bike ride I thought might take me 30 minutes turned out to be a series of these thoughts and experiences for a full hour.

Had I known from the beginning the ride would be an hour I probably wouldn’t have gone via bike, simply because I wasn’t planning on an hour long ride.

I think this is the way God often works in our lives. He gives us long stretches of highway to ride in unfamiliar territory, but as soon as you start to doubt and consider turning around, he gives you a landmark, a familiar reminder that you are on the right path and urges you to continue.

There have been many times in my life where I probably wouldn’t have gone down a certain path if I knew exactly how long the ride to get there would have been. A perceived ‘better’ alternative would likely have been chosen instead, but then I would have missed out on the beautiful journey.

My bike ride was filled with sunshine and smiling faces. It was filled with God’s beauty and creation all around me. It certainly included a few uphill battles, but when I arrived at my destination the ride was so worth it.

In each of our own journeys we are given just enough familiarity to know we are on the right path, just enough incentive to keep pushing forward. Sure, we may have some uphill battles, but in the end I think the ride of our lives is worth the final destination.

So to my eternal compass, my Father in Heaven, I’ll keep riding as long as you keep guiding me. I’ll keep going in the direction you are leading me, as long as You keep letting me know I’m almost there…