Destination vs Waypoints Several years ago we took our only cross-country trip to Colorado for Christmas with the Behrman side of the family. I say “only” because of how one of our “waypoints” became a destination for a few days and greatly impacted our subsequent choices to fly. On the way up we did encounter some snow and extreme cold, although it didn’t inhibit our progress to our intended destination. It was on the way back, though, that arriving at our home destination was much delayed. We were making great time just on the South side of Raton Pass NM when the State Patrol started diverting all the traffic into Springer, this tiny little town with very few provisions for all its stranded guests. God did provide for us amazingly with a back room of a church where we were kept warm and fed. For the next three days, though, this place that we had intended to just pass through on our way back to Texas had become our temporary destination. I’ve realized since that for many in that small town, it had become a permanent destination, possibly one that at one time had only been intended as a waypoint as well. When we receive new life in Christ, not only are we made to be a new creation in Him, but we are also given a destination that is way beyond the many waypoints here on earth. As we are passing through to our heavenly home, however, there are multiple opportunities to let our waypoints become our destination, holding us in a place we were never intended to stay and that is inhibiting our best progress to our eternal home. Storms, setbacks, successes, diversions, and relationships can all become unplanned destinations where we are amazingly provided for by God but are not experiencing our best progress toward His plans for our life. What He desires and provides for us in His Word is a way to keep moving upward, utilizing every waypoint to fulfill our kingdom purpose and not disable our heavenly destination. The necessities of life and fulfilling financial and relational responsibilities all make it necessary to have occupations and friend/family roles, but when each of these are allowed to remain as waypoints to His planned destination, they can take on His power to be their very best. Given a significant role in taking us to our home with Him, they become integral steps through a life that has its true citizenship elsewhere. Destination – desired arrival location Waypoint – points along the chosen route Storms Setbacks Successes Diversions Relationships Our Promised destination – requires setting of the heart for identity adjustment Hebrews 11:13-16 13 These heroes all died still clinging to their faith, not even receiving all that had been promised them. But they saw beyond the horizon the fulfillment of their promises and gladly embraced it from afar. They all lived their lives on earth as those who belonged to another realm. 14 For clearly, those who live this way are longing for the appearing of a heavenly city. 15 And if their hearts were still remembering what they left behind, they would have found an opportunity to go back. 16 But they couldn’t turn back for their hearts were fixed on what was far greater, that is, the heavenly realm! So because of this God is not ashamed in any way to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them. Waypoints can become Destinations Waypoint of success Luke 12:20-21 20 “God said to him, ‘What a fool you are to trust in your riches and not in me. This very night the messengers of death are demanding to take your life. Then who will get all the wealth you have stored up for yourself?’ 21 This is what will happen to all those who fill up their lives with everything but God.” Waypoints of Adversity Psalms 27:3-4 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. Waypoints of worldly passions 1 Peter 2:11 11 My divinely loved friends, since you are resident aliens and foreigners in this world, I appeal to you to divorce yourselves from the evil desires that wage war within you. Every gratifying waypoint – from Him, for His glory 1 Chronicles 29:11-15 11 Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. 12 Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. 13 O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name, 14 but who am I and who are my people that we should be permitted to give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we only give you what is yours already! 15 For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace. Our Destination – at Home with the Lord in bodies independent of earthly waypoints 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 1 We are convinced that even if these bodies we live in are folded up at death like tents, we will still have a God-built home that no human hands have built, which will last forever in the heavenly realm. 2 We inwardly sigh as we live in these physical “tents,” longing to put on a new body for our life in heaven, 3 in the belief that once we put on our new “clothing” we won’t find ourselves “naked.” 4 So, while living in this “tent,” we groan under its burden, not because we want to die but because we want these new bodies. We crave for all that is mortal to be swallowed up by eternal life. 5 And this is no empty hope, for God himself is the one who has prepared us for this wonderful destiny. And to confirm this promise, he has given us the Holy Spirit, like an engagement ring, as a guarantee. 6 That’s why we’re always full of courage. Even while we’re at home in the body, we’re homesick to be with the Master— 7 for we live by faith, not by what we see with our eyes. 8 We live with a joyful confidence, yet at the same time we take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing to him. 10 For one day we will all be openly revealed before Christ on his throne so that each of us will be duly recompensed for our actions done in life, whether good or worthless. Overview: The destination is the ultimate desired point of arrival. Waypoints are identified points along the route to the destination. When waypoints become destinations they inhibit getting to the destination. In Christ we’ve been given a heavenly destination that can affect every waypoint in life. Successes, adversity, and passions of this life can disable progress to our true home. Knowing the greater joy and fulfillment of waypoints that lead to our new destination requires setting the heart above them. Prayer: Father from You has come everything in this life that could be noteworthy. As I consider where my journey has taken me and where I have yet to go, fill me with the understanding that every success, struggle and passion is but a point along the way to You. I desire Your influence in each of them so they may never become a hindering destination, but only a God-empowered point that takes me home to You. Declarations: With my new identity in Christ, I’ve received citizenship in a new land with a new home. Everything I experience in this life is but a waypoint to my final destination. Every success, adversity and passion does not have to become a place that hinders progress to my heavenly home. I set my heart on my promised destination and consider every point along the way to be a God-empowered waypoint that is taking me there.