Journeys and Destinations

Communion Devotional: “Journeys and Destinations”

By Joe Walenciak, March 2025

I spent Christmas and the new year in Guatemala. On the day that I flew out, my United Airlines flight from Guatemala to Houston was fine, but my flight home to XNA was delayed by several hours. I don’t enjoy waiting in airports.  Like most people, I just wanted to get home. When things go bad in airports, people become frustrated and vocal, and that day was no exception. The United agents were doing their best, but they couldn’t fix weather or broken airplanes.

While waiting, I spoke with an agent who had just dealt with a very angry customer. I tried to be a pleasant contrast. Our conversation was pleasant, and I remember telling her, “I just want to get home sometime today, if possible.” She smiled and reassured me that I would. I was telling myself that the journey doesn’t really matter—only the destination. Right?

It is amazing what gets you thinking.  Since that day, I’ve been reflecting on journeys and destinations—especially my own life’s journey. For every believer, our destination is clear. We hold on to promises like Revelation 21:3-4: "I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’”

Sometimes, we see this life as something to endure—just surviving this mess until all things are made new. But God has given us both a journey and a destination, and we need to understand, value, and be thankful for both. The extremes are the problems. One extreme is to become so absorbed in our present life that we lose sight of eternity. The other extreme is to dismiss this life as meaningless, simply holding on until we reach heaven.

Heaven is our goal, but the journey is our preparation. It is in the journey that we grow spiritually, practice obedience, and walk in faithfulness. The trials and challenges we face refine us and shape us to glorify God daily. The destination is our eternal home, but the journey is where God prepares us for that.  As James 1:2-4 reminds us: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

While waiting in the airport, I watched people, ate a meal, and had in a few friendly conversations. I tried to be kind to people and keep moving in the right direction—toward Arkansas and home. When I finally arrived, I was tired but content. Complaining and lashing out at others would not have gotten me home any sooner, and I would have left damaged people in my wake.

I don’t like winter—the cold and gray wear on me. But I love spring. And I’ve realized that passing through winter prepares me to love spring even more. I don’t like airports, but I love to be in Guatemala. Navigating the airport is necessary for me to get to my destination. Life may take us through the “valley of the shadow of death,” but the struggles help us learn to love and trust God more. The journey and the destination are a bundle. Our life’s journey, although painful at times, is our training for heaven.

And that brings us to this moment—the Lord’s Supper. This table reminds us that we are on a journey, but we do not travel alone. Jesus walked this path before us, enduring suffering and hardship so that we might reach our eternal home. As we take the bread and the cup, we remember His sacrifice, His presence with us now, and the promise of the destination He has secured. May this meal strengthen us for the journey and remind us of the joy that awaits when we are finally home with Him.