DAILY READING
REFLECTION
It's About the Journey AND the Destination
By Jennifer Jerrome
My initial thoughts when reading Psalm 15 were, “Wow that’s a lot to live up to. If this is the standard, I may not make it in the tent or on the mountain, but hopefully I’ll end up somewhere close.”
Verses 2-5 feel somewhat like a required checklist:
Blameless
Righteous
Speak truth from the heart
Utter no slander
Do no wrong to neighbors
Cast no slur on others
Despise the vile
Honor those who fear the Lord
Keep an oath even when it hurts
Do not change your mind
Lend money to the poor without interest
Accept no bribes against the innocent
My next thoughts were, “What does it mean if I’m still making my way towards the tent or trekking to the mountain? Do I get credit for heading in the right direction? People are always saying life is about the journey and not the destination. Is this the case for Christians when the desired destination is heaven? How do we become a guest in God’s house?
The psalm ends with, Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
If we’re speaking truth from the heart, I’m shaken… often.
I know God’s got me and if I declare my love for Him, I should have nothing to worry about. But somehow that message doesn’t completely ease my fears. I worry… often.
So, does this mean I’m not good enough for God? That I’ll never dwell in His sacred tent or live on His holy mountain? Is this reserved for only the best of the best? Surely the prostitutes, tax collectors and other sinners Jesus befriended wouldn’t have checked all the boxes either.
When I’m working on a devotion, I frequently look at the verses before and after the passage to gain more perspective. This time I found Psalm 16:8 - I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand I will not be shaken.
Left to our own devices, we are easily shaken but with God we stand on solid ground.
Life isn’t meant to be done alone. It’s not up to us to be good enough, because we never will be. Jesus wasn’t looking for the faultless. He wasn’t looking for the best according to society’s standards, but for those who were the best examples of his love.
He calls us not to perfection, but to journey with him - stopping along the way to invite others to join us. So maybe it’s about the journey AND the destination.
Quick addendum: After hearing Pastor Aaron speak about Luke 2 earlier this week (1/5) when Jesus remained in the temple, it made me think about where God dwells. Is God in the tent or on the holy mountain – Yes, but he’s also in our communities and most definitely in the communion we participate in each Sunday. He’s among us every day. Now, should we try to journey as close to the tent and mountain as possible? Yes, God wants us to want Him and when we do, He meets us where we are. He’s closer than we think.
PRAYER
Father,
I may not check all the boxes, but you are not keeping score. You know my heart. I will fix my eyes on you as I navigate this life and journey with you towards heaven. Amen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JENNIFER JERROME
I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.
Thank you, Jennifer. I always find wisdom and a way forward through these devotions. And I am realizing it is most certainly about the Journey and the Destination. Love your writing.
I neeed that today! Great devotion. It definitely is a journey...not perfection.