Destination God

The other day while baring my soul to the Lord regarding some troubling whys and wherefores in my journey with Him, I heard myself say, “I don’t know where we’re going with this, Lord, or how I’m supposed to get there.” My words stopped me short. That sounded like something the disciple Thomas might say. Sure enough, at the last Passover meal with Jesus he said almost word for word what I had said. Must be a family thing. 

I empathize with Thomas. Who doesn’t need further enlightenment in the ways of the Kingdom? Admittedly, Jesus did some strange things that night as He sat with His disciples around the table. God’s anointed King actually stripped down to his skivvies and washed their feet. If He didn’t, they would have no part in Him. They were to follow His lead. Understanding would come later. How could One who was to rule the earth stoop so low? [i]

Jesus said some even stranger things. One sitting at that very table with them would betray Him. That no doubt sent shockwaves among them. I can picture their knit brows as each cast a wary glance at the one sitting next to them. A perpetrator? They were His chosen. His friends. Whoever could He mean? [ii]

Before they could gather their wits, Jesus dropped another bombshell. He would leave them shortly . . .  you will search for Me but you can’t come where I am going. [iii]

Where was He going?

To His Father’s house. Aside from that, the destination was unclear. He also said they couldn’t go with Him. But He’d be back to get them after He prepared a place for them so they could be with Him. [iv]

That was when Thomas spoke up. Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Others at the table piped in as well. What place? Where? Why not follow now? How are people supposed to know the way to a destination when its whereabouts are unknown? If only Jesus would come to the point. [v]

Try to figure out spiritual mysteries with the intellect and you’ll end up with confusion and bewilderment every time. It scrambled their brains then. It scrambles brains today. That is, if our understanding of destination is limited to merely “a place to which one is journeying.”

Destination events are “all the rage” today. Weddings, anniversaries, corporate retreats, family reunions; it seems the more unique the place of the event, the more memorable the experience. Could we be missing the point? The Garden of Eden was a unique, one-of-a-kind place. Yet its lush grounds and scenic beauty aren’t what make it so memorable.

Jesus said, In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places . . . I am going away to prepare a place for you. Our destination as believers in Christ indeed involves a place prepared specifically for us in the Father’s house. That house evidently is quite spacious, able to amply accommodate all of His children in its many dwellings. [vi]

The New Jerusalem is also a place designed and built for the redeemed of the Lord to live in. One day it will be seen coming down out of heaven. God’s house turned breathtaking city, clothed in God's glory, has streets of gold, a massive wall of precious stones, and pearl gates that never close. The river of life from His throne flows through her main street. On either side of it, the tree of life provides fresh fruit and healing for the nations. When this heavenly city lands on this terra firma, it will irrefutably, unmistakably, and definitively be heaven on earth. [vii]

But our destination is a Person. God. He is “the place to which we are journeying.” Dwelling throughout all eternity with Him in perfect intimacy and harmony is what makes His house and the New Jerusalem memorable. [viii] 

How we reach our destination God is also through intimacy with a Person. Jesus, whom He sent. Jesus is the Way . . . no one comes to the Father except through Me. [ix]

This journey toward our destination God is lifelong. It has twists and turns, many surprises up ahead. Why let the perplexing whys and wherefores along the way bog us down? Even worthwhile projects and ministries will try to steal our attention and affections if we allow them to.

What Jesus told his disciples that night still holds true. And [to the place] where I am going you know the way. [x]

See Me—and you see God, for I and the Father are one. [xi]

Know Me—progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [Me][xii] . . . perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His [My][xiii] Person more strongly and more clearly—and you know the Father. [xiv]

Follow Me—and you will assuredly reach your destination, filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. [xv] 

Photo by Anastasia Petrova on Unsplash

[i] John 13:1–17

[ii] John 15:15; 13:10–11,16–18, 21–26

[iii] John 13:33

[iv] John 13:33, 36

[v] John 13:36 –14:8

[vi] John 14:2–3; 1 Peter 1:3–5; Revelation 21:11

[vii] Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21–22:2

[viii] John 14:23; Revelation 21:3–4

[ix] John 14:6

[x] John 14:4 AMP

[xi] John 10:30

[xii] [word added for clarity]

[xiii] [word added for clarity]

[xiv] Philippians 3:8, 10 AMP

[xv] Ephesians 3:19 AMP; 1 Corinthians 15:28