Psalm 4 - On the Way to Where I am Going

I heard someone’s motto the other day. It was “be happy where you are, on the way to where you’re going”. Usually when I hear something that I like and hope to remember, I have to immediately grab a pen and jot it down on the nearest scrap of paper in order to avoid it disappearing into the black abyss that used to contain my memory. However, this one permeated my thinking to the extent that I not only didn’t have to write it down, but it has embedded itself into the fiber of my being. As the ticking of the time clock of my existence continues at a seemingly ever rapid pace, I am more and more aware of my desire to finish this race called life with incredible purpose. I equate being “happy” with contentedness. In my own life through the years; whether it be through circumstances, chemical make-up, lack of faith, or whatever…I have perfected the art of worrying. It is not something of which I am proud. It is not even something that I in any way want to be about and yet it remains a thread that has consistently woven itself through my life. I know scripture and have read Paul’s words that “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am”. I think that perhaps the key words in this phrase may be “have learned”. In other words, if you have to “learn” something then it may not be something that is innately within you. That is probably where the exercise of faith comes in. If I have put my trust in God for my eternal salvation, then how foolish is it to not be able to trust Him with all of the details that lead up to that moment of being called into His presence. How do I “know” this and yet find the exercise of this so very difficult? You can hear truth, but you can’t really learn truth without putting it to the test. Our daily walk is learning to live in that place of contentedness or happiness as a result of resting in the truth of His words by exercising the faith that whatever circumstances may come our way, His promises are indeed trustworthy. In simpler terms, actually believing that He has our back. I am in the process of learning to live in the present state of “contentedness” or as stated in the motto….being happy. But in the process of learning to be content I never want to become complacent. I don’t want to be so “content” that I loose dreaming. I see people get to the place of passively accepting the status quo, being comfortable in the routine, and not really possessing or pursuing any goals or dreams. I want my life to always have dreams and I want to dream in technicolor. I realize that I come alive around those whose lives are still passionately in pursuit of possibilities. If I picture this life as a journey, then I love that there are those times of sitting on the beach in some small coastal town, breathing the salt air and feeling the cool sea breeze. I love stopping in a roadside diner and experiencing the “special” on the menu that is a unique reflection of the area’s culture. I want to travel the back roads and see the wonders that would be missed if you simply stayed on the roads most traveled; for instance the short cuts, the ones most populated and frequently traveled, the safest routes,….. or if you chose to not travel at all. I don’t want to miss opportunities by not sensing when it is time to “remain” and when it is time to “move on” to the next opportunity. I want to be amazed by the surprises that come my way because I was willing to risk following my heart. I want to have the strength to journey on even if others lag behind or choose to not follow. I am aware that the measure of contentedness is in direct proportion to understanding that those dreams need to be aligned with the purposes for which I was created by the One who has given me life. So, as I am learning to experience the reality of this faith-walk, this journey called life, I want to be happy where I am on the way to where I am going.