The parable of the journey

The blessing of life is the joy of the journey of unending revelation in Christ. Through our wondering and wandering He allows fresh life and wisdom and increased well-being. And we sigh. Sometimes we sigh with a smile and sometimes we sigh with release and sometimes we sigh with weariness. In the end, we sigh into His arms.

A wandering preacher tumbled into town. On his path to heaven, he met other sojourners. Each started their walk-about for a different reason. The wandering wondering preacher met each with the greatest understanding and compassion. Each came. Each stayed. Each left to continue wandering and wondering. The preacher scratched his weariness. It itched.

And he signed deeply and heavily. Sure, many changed. Sure, many were rescued. Sure, many joined the road to heaven. Still, he sighed.

On the rocky road of discovery, the wandering preacher with purpose and aplomb came upon a willing and wonderful woman of prayer. She brought her family from their pain and problems. Drugs, alcohol, sexual thirst, anger, and poverty marked each. A few came to Christ and found a moment of rest. They left quickly and went back into the dark corners and ways of the world.

The wondering preacher sighed deep and heavy. He knew he had been at the right place at the right time and offered great wisdom and well-being from his cup of supply. He knew some had been reached and would be changed for life. Still, he sighed.

On the steep hill of despair, the wandering preacher with destiny and determination came up three couples. One stood high on the hill and looked down on the others. They wanted to be right about everything. Another lived in the valley of depression, they wanted to feel the warmth of the sun that was blocked by the high post of the first. The third was searching for duty. They did not hear why he was there, but this seemed a good place to be for the season of hiding. Up and down the hill they tread. Each attacked the other. In the fight they all went back to where they had come, and the preacher lumbered forward.

The preacher sighed deeply and heavily. Sure, along with the right and the weary and the running, others had been reached. Others who had come in the season changed their lives significantly. They too had gone on to other places, but they first were changed by the compassion and concern of Christ in the journey. Still, he sighed.

In the valley of defeat, the wondering preacher with consternation and commitment met a group of fellow wonderers. They had lost the roof over their heads, and they looked for a place to rest for a while, gaining a fresh strength to go onward. Families were connected and concerned. The leaders of the clan were men of faith and persistence. For a season the preacher could relax. In the arms of others, he walked a season. And they went back to who they were and rebuilt their house of safety.

And the preacher sighed deep and heavy. Sure, many lives changed, and the community came together, but his friends walked a different path. Still, he sighed.

For the next season, the preacher wandered with a willing heart and wonderment in the desert. No one came. He walked the highways and byways, yet none came. Wanderers came and went a few at a time but none stayed. And the season of the desert caused the preacher to reach deeper into His love of God to continue his journey. Storms came. His legs broke underneath him. The building into which he gathered many was smashed and needed repair and rebuilding. In the desert, the preacher changed. He could never return to who he had been before.

The preacher sighed deeply and heavily. Sure, many along the road were helped in the desert. Still, he sighed.

In the town market, the wandering preacher with surprise and a sober mind met many groups coming and going. The busyness of commerce and education and community concerned them. Each had an agenda. Each had needs. The preacher was able to connect some and console some. And in the busyness, they came and went and then just went. Good friends for a season connected and disconnected.

And he sighed deeply and heavily. Sure, many and more were changed and connected and became stronger in family and faith and living. Still, he signed.

On the ribbon of road, the wandering preacher with joy and energy found lovers of life. These met the preacher in his wandering. They found love and new life and hope in his message. Now they were ready to give what they received to others. These are the church, the loving fellowship, the called out, and the body of Christ. These are the forsaken who have been found and gathered.

Everyday as the preacher wandered the roads, the desert, the hills, the storms, and valleys, he met fellow wanderers. Some struggled with great burdens and rested for a moment in the shade of love and learning. Many continued their wandering and found no home. Many made a home elsewhere. All made a home in his heart, and he remembers.

And he sighs deeply and heavy with a joyful smile. Yes, the good and perfect road of the Lord has been full of wonder and wander. And God calls it good. And God sighs with satisfaction. And still the preacher sighs in the arms of his Father, who sees and understands it all.