‘Are we there yet?’ Kids lament on road trips

“Are we there yet?” Those words still ring in the ears of parents who took their kids on road trips.

When I was growing up, my parents tried to engage us in activities that would reduce the number of times we asked that annoying question. We played, “The Alphabet Game,” the “Cow Game,” the “Tractor Game” and the “License Plate Game.” We sang songs my mom and dad taught us. We’re still a singing family to this day, in part, because of those road trips. I’ve also wondered if my mom ever slipped some Benadryl into our milk before those trips. I think we slept a lot in the car.

The Apostle Paul probably had new Christians asking him, “Are we there yet?” or when are we going to get “there”? The “there” is our eternal new home in Heaven. That ultimate destination, whose peace, joy, majesty and beauty are beyond our ability to even imagine, is promised to those who receive, by faith, the gospel — the good news. And what is that gospel? It is that all those who humble themselves before God, confessing that He alone is perfectly holy and righteous, who confess their own personal sin against God, asking for the forgiveness that comes through the blood of Christ Jesus, trusting in His sacrifice alone, will be, and are, saved and promised eternal life in Heaven! With a madeup-mind, we begin the disciple’s life, giving authority over our thoughts, words and actions to the indwelling Spirit of God given to us through our confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; we are now His disciples.

Then, we’re on the journey of a lifetime. Paul says (in Hebrews 12) we’re running a race. And it’s not just any race; it is the “race marked out before us.” It is a life-course God has set before us. It is person-specific in many ways. But what all Christian disciples have in common is that finish line. But, your finish line and mine are not the same. In fact, you don’t know when your finish line will come, and neither do I. Therefore …

Press on! Keep on “living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that you do!” And, Paul says, because of all the distraction in life that might hinder us or try to trip us up, to keep our eyes, our focus, on Jesus! He ran the race perfectly. He finished strong, despite the cross! And He showed His disciples how to run with righteousness, courage and love — all the way to the finish!

Paul also reminds us of others who have run the disciple’s race with exemplary faith and fortitude. The testimony of the saints who have gone before us encourages us.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ … no, we’re not “there” yet. Therefore, I encourage you to “run the race with endurance that is set before you, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith.” Run through the tape and finish strong!