Getting There

“And so we came to Rome.”  Acts 28:14

The Apostle Paul, his companions, and the ship’s crew stayed on the island of Malta for three months.  After the danger of winter had passed, they “put out to sea in an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux”(Acts 28:11). But even after all this delay, their trip was not a non-stop sail to Rome.  They harbored and hung out at Syracuse for three days; they arrived at Rhegium and anchored; the next day they were blown by a south wind to Puteoli where they “found some brothers who invited them to spend a week with them” (Acts 28:14).  And so finally, after many stops, storm, shipwreck, snakebite, south wind, smooth sailing, and side trip, “we came to Rome”(Acts 28:15).

If God’s purpose for Paul’s journey had been only the destination, the trip could nearly be declared a disaster and certainly described as a debacle, but the purpose of the journey isn’t just about being there; it’s a lot about getting there.  I write these words with a heavy heart as I grieve with the family of dear friend whose earth-journey ended yesterday morning.  By God’s grace, he was perfectly prepared to arrive at his final destination, and though the timing seems many years too soon on our end, our friend left a lot of legacy while “getting there.” 

He loved his lady with a strong and steadying passion.  He held her and helped her through the loss of parents, friends, and several unborn babies.  He delighted in the birth of their only child and was pouring his life into shaping their son to be a Godly man.  Words were not many with my friend, but when he spoke, he said much.  He served, led, and prayed for his church, and he loved Jesus in real life.  One quality I will always remember is that he never seemed to be in a hurry—with his actions, attitudes, or responses.  He didn’t rush the journey, but simply accepted each stage as it came and made the most of it.  Some might say that such an outlook means you don’t do much, but, actually, it means you don’t miss much.  My friend did not.

Our journey to heaven is not a non-stop sail, and we are not told our arrival time.  But this is what we know:  we’re on the right boat, we will encounter stops, storms, shipwrecks, snakebites, south wind, smooth sailing, and several side trips along the way, and at just the right time (for our God is never wrong), we will safely and securely reach our final destination.  As you travel, remember that it’s not just about being there, it’s a lot about getting there.

God will get you where you’re supposed to go.
Don’t miss the much along the way.