As is often—no, always—the case, travel never fails to deliver a life lesson or two…or three.
Our most recent trip took us abroad, which, in addition to the excitement of seeing new places, came with the familiar requirements of international travel: packing—what to take and what to leave behind—and making sure all our documents were in order, including a valid passport.
I was reminded of something renowned travel expert Rick Steves once said:
“When traveling, there are two types of travelers: “those who pack light and those who wish they had.”
True confession: on this trip, we fell somewhere in the ugly middle.
I’m not sure why it sometimes takes an experience like this to drive home a simple life reality. When you get right down to it, the purpose of a journey isn’t to lug around a pile of clothes and stuff for every conceivable situation. What you’re packing should be determined by where you’re going.
And then, ironically, that point became even clearer when we made our way through border control.
With more luggage than we needed in tow, the border officer asked us a simple question:
“What’s your final destination?”
He wasn’t asking about our next flight, our next hotel, or any of the places we might visit along the way. He wasn’t interested in our interim stops.
He wanted to know our ultimate destination.
I answered his question and we walked away. But almost immediately, I was struck by the irony of the moment. I chuckled and shared with my wife what a profound question that really was.
My final destination, indeed.
Too often, we can become so focused on an interim stop that we mistake it for our final destination.
The next promotion.
The next relationship.
The next purchase.
The next accomplishment.
The next milestone.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with these things. In fact, interim stops can be important. They can be necessary markers along the journey—opportunities to pause, assess where we are, and determine whether we’re still headed in the right direction.
But an interim stop is not the destination.
That distinction matters.
The Apostle Paul understood this. He acknowledged that he hadn’t arrived, that he didn’t have everything figured out, and that he was still on the journey. Yet he knew exactly where he was headed:
“I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
—Philippians 3:14, MSG
Paul wasn’t claiming perfection. He was claiming direction.
He had his eyes fixed on the goal.
And so should we.
I’m not saying that I have it all together or that I’ve somehow arrived. Far from it. But I am pressing forward—reaching for Christ, who has already reached out for me. I’m still learning, still growing, still traveling this road of faith.
But I know where I’m going.
Jesus is the destination.
This trip provided at least two important reminders.
First, pack light. The goal of the journey isn’t to spend our lives lugging around unnecessary baggage. We don’t need to carry every possession, every disappointment, every regret, every fear, or every “what if” along the way. And certainly, the goal isn’t to accumulate more and more stuff as we travel.
Second, know your destination.
Life will offer us plenty of interim stops. Some will be wonderful. Others will be difficult. Some will be expected; others will surprise us. But none of them should cause us to lose sight of where we’re ultimately headed.
And perhaps there’s one more thing worth remembering: the journey is not simply about getting somewhere; it’s about knowing Someone.
Paul says it this way: “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10).
That, ultimately, is the heart of the journey. To know Christ more deeply, to become more like Him, and to keep pressing toward the day when faith becomes sight.
So, if someone were to stop you today and ask, “What’s your final destination?”
Could you answer without hesitation?
As for me, I’m trying to travel light, keep my eyes on the road, and remember where I’m headed.
My final destination?
Jesus.
Categories: Acts17seventeen Bible Study Christian Christianity Community Follower Of Jesus god love Prayer Purpose Travel
Pastor Mark
Mark, the eighth of nine children born to Reuben and Henrietta Meeks—dedicated church planters with nearly 30 congregations established across California’s Central Valley—is a preacher's kid who grew up immersed in faith and service. With over forty years of experience teaching, discipling, and ministering to communities, including the hospitalized and incarcerated, Mark responded to God's call to pastoral ministry. He holds degrees in civil engineering and public administration, as well as a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Seminary, equipping him to serve with both practical insight and spiritual depth.
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