Are we there yet?

John 3:25-30

         Have you ever heard that expression, "Are we there yet?" It can be terribly annoying.  I think it has a great deal to do with looking at the end of the trip and not enjoying the journey itself. One of things that I find is a common denominator of getting older is an appreciation for the journey.

         On our journeys in life you appreciate the journey because at some point you realize you have fewer years in front of you that you do behind.  If you have been keeping your eye on the future you start to realize what you may have missed and the journey ahead takes on added significance. You appreciate life a lot more.

         The fact of life that you may have fewer years ahead reminds me of the passage statement that He must increase, but I must decrease. The idea of appreciating and realizing what is important I think is linked to this idea of me decreasing and God increasing. We are all headed to a journey that ends like a butterfly in a cocoon. We are all going to pass through this world and enter a new realm of existence with God. It is a different existence, perhaps the change is frightening to some. The fact remains we are diminishing and God is increasing.  Perhaps our whole life is trying to increase the presence of God in our life. While we try to be fully human, fully who we were created to be and all that God created us to be, we are trying also to diminish the worldly and enter more into the sacred realm we are called to as children of God.

         This seems a bit heady, perhaps not everyone gets it and perhaps some do not recognize the journey until he end (of our human existence). When the journey of life comes to a screeching halt and we realize we are about to come out of our cocoons that can be frightening and it can be sad at the realization that you may have missed some great things along your journey. This is why on a man's death  bed he may lament his failures or say 'I should have sent more time at home instead of the office'.

             In life are you one who literally or figuratively asks "are we there yet?"  Stop, appreciate, listen, learn and love. Sounds like a plan.

    

Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.’ John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.’