The Better Destination

I’m pretty sure I would be lost without GPS. Literally. When Traci and I drove across the country from California to New Jersey as a newlywed couple, we used the GPS we got as a wedding present to guide us on our way. Not only did it help us find the food and coffee we wanted along our route, it also made sure we stayed on course even if we inadvertently took a wrong turn or encountered a closed road.

But the thing about GPS is that it only works if you already know the destination you want to reach. You have to be clear about your goal for GPS to work. Once you are, then the GPS can help you get there.

There are many times in the Bible when our life as disciples is compared to a journey. We walk by faith, we run the race, we seek the narrow road, and we know that Jesus is the way. But if our discipleship is a journey, what is our destination? In one sense, our ultimate destination is Heaven — to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father.

But how would we describe our spiritual destination during our lives here on Earth? What would we type into our spiritual GPS right now? In other words, what is the primary goal we are working towards as followers of Christ?

I would suggest that one of the most important goals we have as disciples is to become more like Christ. Romans 12:2 warns us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. But what are we supposed to be transformed into? The answer is, into a better reflection of Jesus. Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches us that we are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, and Romans 8:29 tells us that we were chosen to be conformed into the image of Jesus. Paul testifies about how hard he worked on behalf of the Galatian Christians so that Christ might be formed in their hearts (Galatians 4:19).

These passages help us realize that one of the most important goals we have in our walk with Christ is to imitate his heart, character, and lifestyle, so that day by day we become better reflections of Jesus himself. That is the destination that we are working towards as his disciples. So let me encourage you to pray about how you can be a better reflection of Jesus today and make a commitment to find at least one way you can imitate his example in your life this week.