The Journey Matters!

The Journey Matters: A Biblical Perspective on the Process

Who would have thought a profound statement would come from watching the NFL? I certainly did not. Although I do not remember all the details of the game, I do remember there was some dispute over a touchdown. During the break, the pundits in the studio vehemently stated their position, with the strongest argument being about how many steps the player took. The host turned and asked a man he called “coach” for his perspective. The man appeared to be quiet and composed and he simply stated: “The steps don’t matter, rather it’s about the process.” What arrested me was the fact that it was not just one single event that determined the touchdown, but a series of events.
In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves fixated on achieving specific goals or reaching certain milestones. We tend to believe that success is measured by the outcome, by the result, or by our failure to meet that result. However, when we examine the principles of life through a biblical lens, we discover that the steps we take along the way do not hold as much significance as the process itself. In this article, we will explore how breaking free from the past, fixing our eyes on Jesus, understanding admiration versus identification, and counting the cost can transform our perspective on the journey.

Break Free
As we embark on our journey of faith, not only it is crucial to recognize that the past does not define our future, but also that we do not have to attain perfection to be accepted and used by God. Breaking free is about more than being released from sin. We are given a fresh start in Christ, and although this does not mean we will not make any other mistakes or sin, Christ has brought us into the presence of God and we stand before Him with nothing against us. Scripture tells us that we who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior are “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:1, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3). Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are reconciled to God and are viewed as righteous before Him (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). The only condition to His acceptance of us is that we believe (Colossians 1:22-23)! Instead of seeing our unrighteousness, God sees the righteousness of His Son. Thus, breaking free is understanding that God does not just forgive the sins before coming to salvation, but forgives us completely. Lamentations 3:22–23 reminds us that “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Therefore, it is important to remember that breaking free is not rehashing each mistake over and over again, requesting forgiveness of the same things over and over, as if to make penance for the sin. Yes, we do acknowledge our weaknesses and sin, and we do repent, and ask for God’s forgiveness, but the journey is not about the perfection of our steps but rather about the process of the transformative power of God’s grace that empowers us to move forward. As part of breaking free, we need to understand that our present and future sins are forgiven. If this were not so, we would lapse back into an unforgivable state and would need to be redeemed again, which nullifies the complete work of Christ. In John 19:30, Jesus says “It is finished.” According to Strong’s Concordance, the perfect tense Greek word τετέλεσται (tetelestai) used in this verse communicates an action that occurred in the past, but with an impact continuing into the future. In other words, something still in effect now—Christ died “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10), and is able to save to the uttermost, completely or at all times, those who draw near to God (Hebrews 7:25). Naturally, this does not give us a license to sin as we are called to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16, 1 Thessalonians 4:7). In the Living Bible, Romans 6:1-3 says “Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Should we keep on sinning when we don’t have to? For sin’s power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered” (cf 1 John 3:6).

Fix Eyes
We know that part of breaking free is laying “aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1, ESV). Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). By keeping our gaze steady upon Him, we are able to align our steps with His divine purpose. However, aligning our steps requires discipline and a deep relationship with Christ. When we prioritize our connection with Him, our actions become an outpouring of His love and guidance. Instead of being fixated on outcomes, we learn to trust His plans and walk in obedience, finding joy in the journey itself. Scripture encourages us to fix our thoughts on what is true and good, on things pure and lovely; dwell on the good things in others, and think about all you can praise God for, with JOY, and put into practice what you have learned from His Word (Philippians 4:8). Paul reminds in Philippians 3:8-16 that he too is not perfect, but that he presses “on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (ESV). As we fix our thoughts and our eyes on Jesus, we are able to strain toward the goal; the process—a series of actions to achieve result.

Admiration vs. Identification
As we fix our thoughts and our eyes on Jesus, we are properly positioned to realize that admiration for Christ is very different from identification with Him. Admiration signifies recognizing and appreciating the qualities, teachings, and actions attributed to Jesus. Thus, you can admire Jesus for his compassion, wisdom, selflessness, and moral teachings without actually accepting Him as Lord. On the other hand, identification implies a deeper level of personal connection or association with Christ. It involves more active and personal involvement in incorporating His teachings and aligning our beliefs, values, and behaviors with those of Jesus. Identification involves a personal commitment, faith, and a desire to model your life after Christ’s example. In the same way, in our spiritual walk, we may admire the faith of others, but we must remember that God calls us to a unique journey in Christ. Romans 12:4-8 reminds us that, in Christ, we are all members of one body, but just as our physical body, each member does not have the same function, and that even our gifts differ according to the grace given to us (cf 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, which also reminds us that we need each part of the body). In the same way, the process is different for each of us and we cannot be trapped into duplicating someone else’s steps. Instead, we must discover and embrace our God-given purpose. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (ESV). “Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4:7, ESV), and so reflect Christ, His mercy and love, in our own unique way. As we seek to identify with Christ, we develop an intimate relationship with Him, allowing His character to shape our lives.

Count the Cost
Along with identification, the Bible encourages us to count the cost of following Christ (Luke 9:23, 14:28). Galatians 2:20 reminds us that we have been crucified with Christ and it “is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (ESV). While there is most certainly a cost, when and where God calls, there is also His grace and power to enable us (Romans 14:4, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 4:13). The process and journey of faith require sacrifice, perseverance, and a willingness to let go of worldly desires and it may even involve facing challenges, opposition, or even temporary setbacks. But as we lay aside our own ambitions and surrender to God’s plan, we discover that the process is where true transformation occurs. Doing this on our own, whether through manipulation or obligation, is an insurmountable task. However, His grace enables us to slip-stream behind Him as we follow after Him. It is in the challenges that our faith is refined, and our character is shaped to align with God’s purposes.

Curling
“The steps don’t matter, rather it’s about the process.” The journey as a whole is what matters. Whether you take ten steps forward, three to the side, and four steps back before taking another forward does not matter. What matters is whether the progress is on a forward trajectory and whether you are walking your own journey in Christ. In curling, a sport in which players slide heavy, polished granite stones, across the ice towards a target area, the curler can induce a curved path by causing the stone to slowly turn as it slides, and the path of the stone may be further influenced by two sweepers, who accompany it as it slides down the sheet. According to Matt Majendie, “The curved path is actually caused by the microscopic roughness of the stone producing microscopic scratches in the ice. As the stone slides over the ice, its roughness leaves small scratches and, when the rear of the stone passes that area, it passes those original scratches in a different direction, leading them to follow those scratches, hence changing direction. ‘Sweeping’ will counteract the effects of these scratches. Fast and hard sweeping is physically demanding but can be effective at influencing a stone’s trajectory, and the heat transfer to the ice from the brush head is key to this.” By vigorously sweeping the ice, the curlers can momentarily melt the ice, which lessens the amount of friction. Less friction reduces the speed of deceleration, and as the swept path becomes the path of least resistance, the stone follows and stays the course in a straighter line.
Consider curling in the light of your own life. Just as curlers start each game with a clean sheet of ice, we are given a fresh start in Christ. However, the stone cannot be left to its own devices, the sweeper must be watching the direction the stone wants to naturally follow and must be prepared to apply the necessary friction to keep the stone on track. So it is in life. The steps of arriving at the ice, ensuring you have all the equipment you need (shoes, stone, broom), deciding the direction for your life, and then releasing the stone, are only the steps. The process of attaining the end goal does require aligning and realigning to ensure the stone reaches its final destination without veering off course.

Conclusion
In a world often obsessed with outcomes, we should shift our focus from results to the process. By breaking free from the past and habitual sin, fixing our eyes on Jesus, understanding the importance of personal identification with Christ, and counting the cost, we discover that the journey itself holds immeasurable value. Our spiritual journey becomes a testament to God’s transformative power. So, let us embrace the process and trust that as we walk with Christ, He will guide our steps, in the process of leading us to a deeper understanding of His purpose and fulfillment in Him.