Is Life More About the Christian Journey than the Destination of Heaven?
What is the difference between a journey and a destination?
A destination is where you aim to end up—it's the goal, the finish line, the place you're striving to reach.
On the other hand, the journey is everything that happens along the way. It's the experiences, challenges, growth, and memories you gather while heading toward that destination. The journey shapes you, teaches you, and often holds more value than the destination itself.
Life often balances the two: while destinations give us purpose, journeys give us meaning. On this side of heaven, the destination isn't always as wonderful as we thought it would be.
This question began with something I heard about a church. They said it was a "destination church." When I first heard that phrase, it sounded like some kind of Christian Disney World! But it made me wonder: What would that mean? Is it meant to be the final Christian destination? This led me to consider: Is Heaven our final destination? Or is the journey getting there what matters most?
Jesus taught us to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10, TPT). This gives more meaning to the journey than the destination. Jesus also said, "I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life." (John 14:6).
Many times it seems that the Universal Church just wants to escape from planet Earth and leave all the bad stuff behind!
"My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking." (James 1:2-4, TPT)
This verse is talking about the journey. Yes, there will be many trials and bumps along the way, but in the journey, you can have everlasting joy through them. Our spiritual pilgrimage is about growing closer to Christ, not just reaching an end.
Revelation talks about growing closer to Daddy God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. It speaks of worship and communion with others, not a place of nothingness. It describes ruling and reigning. This makes me believe that there is more to our spiritual pathway than just getting to heaven. Jesus talks about eternal life: "I speak to you an eternal truth: if you embrace My message and believe in the One who sent Me, you will never face condemnation. In Me, you have already passed from the realm of death into eternal life!" (John 5:24, TPT)
So life goes on beyond our physical world. I don't know all the answers, but I do believe there is more to eternal life than just getting to heaven!
Be a Blessing,
Sir Gregory
"There's always something Brewing in the Kingdom"
www.kingdombrewing.com
