A friend of mine was sharing some of his health problems when he said he wished things were different. He longed for a healthy body that would do the things he wanted it to do. He wanted to have more energy to play with his children and not feel so tired all the time. Having diabetes, he wished for injection free days and less stress about his diet. Eventually I asked him what he would like to do to improve his health. Without hesitation he said, “I want to press a button and have all these problems disappear.”
We didn’t talk much after that. Such a button does not exist and that was the extent he was willing to go to improve his health. He said he wanted to eat all the pizza he felt like, bread and cheese at all meals, eat dessert to his heart’s content, drink as many sugary drinks as he wanted, and not get sick. Like his imaginary instant-health button, health on junk food does not exist either.
I pondered about our conversation for a long time. It would be so much easier to wake up one day and have all our problems gone. Debt paid off. A happy marriage. A job we love. Illnesses gone. Wake up with a strong and healthy body just like that. It would be awesome! Or would it?
A few days later I decided to go for an early morning walk. Exercise is probably the thing I struggle the most with when it comes to health. Not that I have any excuses for not doing it. I understand most reasons to not exercise are simply that. Excuses. My problem is that most of the time I simply don’t even think about it. I’ve been working on changing this, a tiny step at a time, and that morning I put on my tennis shoes and headed out the door before the hot sun took over the land.
It was a beautiful summer morning. The neighborhood was mostly quiet, except for a few early risers driving to work, or exercising, or walking their dogs. The sky was a shiny gold, and fluffy white clouds passed by slowly up above. The air was so fresh that I felt invigorated. Filled with energy, I decided to do a light jog alternated with walking. I smiled. I need to do this more often. That’s when the thought hit me!
The journey! There is immense value in the journey.
It may seem wonderful to press a button and have all our problems disappear, but that would only rob us of the blessings of the journey.
Think about it for a moment. Remember past goals and what you had to go through to achieve them. To marry your soulmate for example, you had to go through months or years of dating. The dating period can be stressful, but is also filled with beautiful moments that helped you get to know your future spouse. Would you have skipped them? Even when going on a trip, say to a beautiful place you’ve been wanting to go, or visit someone you can’t wait to see again, the preparation and excitement before make the destination even sweeter.
The same applies to life. When striving to have the abundant life God has promised you, take pleasure in the journey there. Most often it’s not an easy path. It takes hard work, sacrifice, and change. It can be quite uncomfortable. But it is during those moments that you’ll develop patience, strength, and a determination you didn’t know you had. When day after day you press on making choices that will make you healthier and happier, you will be strengthening your character for even greater things. You will grow and learn more about yourself and about others. You’ll live experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise, and overcome fears and doubts you have. And you’ll become a beacon of light to others on their own journey. Don’t miss out on all of this just because you think it’s hard. Press on! Baby steps. Small daily decisions. It will be worth it!
If I had woken up that morning with a six pack, super healthy, and strong, I would’ve stayed home and missed the shiny gold sky, the fluffy white clouds, the fresh air, and the energy and joy I felt during my workout.
So plan your destination and then enjoy the journey getting there. Life is a journey anyway. Make it great!