Never, ever forget these words:

“Enjoy the journey and those traveling with you, not just the destination.” — Phil Carnuccio

This is a lesson I’ve been learning in earnest for the past few months since reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It was the focal point of a message I heard this past Sunday at Providence Church here in West Chester. Then, you look at Stuff Christians Like today. There is no doubt God wants my heart in this area.

It was especially timely given the fact that I am ending one story that is my internship and jumping off a cliff into another. Honestly, I do not know what this next story looks like in particular, but this blog and my music (in which I dabble) are a part. However, I will not make this journey if I do not have the right support. Looking back at this past year as a supported (getting donations) intern, it is undeniable that life as a whole cannot be survived alone, as it was never meant to be.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” — Genesis 1:26a

There is no mistaking the fact that this is a trinitarian God creating man in His (at the same time Their pluralistic) image. Not to perform a full exegesis here, but it would be preposterous for the author to include the “our” in the verse were it not to intonate a need for others, for community. For those of you who’ve been following along, I may be beating a dead horse, but I do not see how with something so intrinsic and crucial this can be done.

The symbol of the first church was their deep sense of and need for community. The apostles were never scattered until they all went into hiding after the crucifixion. In our times of need, we seek people, not exclusion. I could go on, but that would be redundant.

As I face the precipice of a new journey, I am thrilled and terrified all at once. I do not know the path, nor do I know the destination. All I know is my next step and that God has graciously given me some of the most amazing people to support me along the way when I fall down or stray from my path. This is life. I’m already taken care of and the fear begins to fade.

Dear friend, what is your story? Are you living it actively or postponing it daily? Worse yet, are you going it alone? Again, I repeat the call.

“Enjoy the journey and those traveling with you, not just the destination.”
And never forget to thank God for those fellow sojourners. The road is long and narrow. They are a pure gift from above. Don’t let them forget that either.