By Steve

Now and Later

I loaded my mountain bike on the car and headed for the trails in Elfin Forest. An odd name I agree. I'm not sure what it means and I've certainly never seen an elf but on this day my very normal bike ride became magical.

I loved the "way up" trail from the very first time I discovered it. It's challenging. It's steep. It's fun. There are many rocks and technical spots. Somewhere near the top the trail offers a great view of a small man made lake. Shortly after the lake you arrive at the top. It's usually hazy and foggy but this high point is a great spot to view the valley. This exhausting work out "up" - the journey - is why I love this ride.

But on this day something changed. The trail was in great shape. The ride up satisfying. But the view. Magical. It was the first time I had been on the top with no haze, no fog. I had no idea how close I was to the ocean. Stepping off my bike, I found a great seat on a large rock to take it in. My vocabulary is not strong enough, few are, to describe the scene. I ended several minutes of gazing into God's oceanic art gallery with an out of control descent...the other favorite part of the ride.

How often have I heard my life described as a journey. How many times have I heard people (and been involved in) discuss/argue if being a Christian was about going to heaven (the top destination) or the journey (the way up). It's common today for people like me to emphasize the journey as what matters most. Maybe as a reaction to the heavy end times (heaven) teaching I recieved growing up. Maybe because the journey really does matter. But as much as I value the journey, I believe there is something out there (in time) that is beautiful, awe inspiring. It might be something, when encountered, may make this journey seem less significant. So as I journey, I look forward to what might be there when I arrive.

And here's the thing. On my bike ride, after I arrived at my destination...the top...and had this incredible experience, I realized my journey was not over. I still got the thrill of going down. And that mountain top experience made the rest of my journey so much better than any time before.

I want to live each day loving the journey, hoping for a God encounter and looking forward to a future destination.