The Beginning

When does a journey really begin?

Is it when we get married? When we have kids? Or, is it when they leave the nest that life really begins? When we think we will now have all the time in the world to do all those things we always wanted to do.

What if the journey begins even earlier? Perhaps the beginning is when we are born, or maybe when we are conceived within our mother's womb? After all, that sounds like a good place to begin.

John 1:1 reads: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Can you imagine with me for a moment?

The God of the universe is the beginning. His Word has always been with Him. In fact, He is the Living Word. Through Him we get eternal life, the redemption of our souls. Before we are a thought in our mother's heart, God knows us. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He has a path for us to follow. He has a journey for us to embark on.

What is your journey like?

Ours has included growing up in two different worlds. Navigating peer pressure in high school. Falling in love in college. Having a so-called dream wedding. Kids.

Our journey has taken us back to church and a Father that looks straight into our hearts and knows what is best for us. Our faithful God led us to adopt even though He knew the painful outcome that would ensue. At least, painful for the moment.

Our joy does come in the morning. If we look for it.

Our journey has come with some detours, some road blocks, some speed limit signs. In fact, a couple times it came with some turn around and go back signs. There is nothing here for you.

Have we been discouraged along the way? The simple answer is yes. The longer answer would be, "Are you kidding me?" Who loses friends, family, and their own children without becoming at least a little bit agitated? Who moves to far off places to willing suffer financial hardship, emotional distress, and tremendous loneliness?

The journey is not always easy. It comes with a price. There is a penalty for my faults and for others' faults.

I'm so glad Jesus Christ, the Living Word, the One who has been with God since the beginning, came down to live a PERFECT life and then gave it up for me. He was human just like me. He had more hardships and suffering than I could ever bare. He didn't have to give up His life. He did nothing to deserve death.

But I deserve death. I have failed to keep the commandments of a Holy God.

The beginning of my journey was when I acknowledged God as my Father, and Christ as my Lord and Savior. I became a new creation when I asked for Jesus' forgiveness and accepted His sacrifice on the horrendous cross as the penalty for my sinful behavior and thoughts.

Am I perfect now? Absolutely not. I'm a work in progress.

Do I still sin? Absolutely. I have to repent daily.

Am I becoming more like Christ each day? I certainly hope so. I know I still have a long ways to go and I understand I won't ever arrive this side of heaven. I do hope that my walk on this road would bring glory to the One who gave up His status, His power, and His very life for me.

How about you? Has your journey begun?