When was the last road trip you were on? How long was it? As a youth pastor I have taken many road trips. One time I drove from Las Vegas to Dallas, Tx to pick up a shuttle bus the church purchased. Another time I drove from Memphis, TN to Mexico City, Mexico in a church van headed for a mission trip and the number one question I got was “Are we there yet?” After about 24 hours, 3 states, changing buses at the border, we finally arrived. That was the longest trip I have ever driven and there were many stops along the way and memories shared.
Unlike a road trip where eventually we arrive at our destination, in this journey that we are on with Christ, and the plan that God has for us, we never actually arrive. Obviously, this life will come to an end one day, but along the journey of life we never really arrive. And the moment we think we have arrived in life, we are really at the beginning of another adventure, another twist or bend in the road, another obstacle to overcome. The Bible says in Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”.
A mantra that I live by in my life is “Stay humble, Stay hungry”. When we think we have arrived, entitlement and pride begin to rise up. The scripture is very clear in how God feels about pride in our lives. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction”. In contrast to pride is humility and James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”. God will always raise up the humble and bring down the prideful.
My first year in full time ministry almost came to a not so happy ending. I had just finished bible college and started my first fulltime position as a youth pastor. The year was going great and I was at my first youth camp as the man! I thought, “Now I have arrived”, little did I know that God was about to reshape me and my ministry. That summer my world came crashing down as my pastor told me things needed to change or else, I would no longer be the youth pastor. That summer and the year following were tough, but needed in my life, as it taught me to always stay in a position of humility and be hungry for God’s attention and approval, not mans. Over the years I have never forgotten that lesson and as a DYD I fully understand and realize that I have still not arrived, but I continue to strive towards the finish line. Never give up, never give into pride, but always “Stay humble, stay hungry” and you will reach your destination that God is calling you to.
