Some of the best stories grow out of road trips. I remember driving from Indiana back to PA with my parents. Mom and Dad were arguing about directions. My dad decided to take a shortcut. Mom was certain we took a wrong turn.

You know where that shortcut took us? To a big old billboard announcing, “Welcome to the state of Michigan!” It was a quiet ride back to PA from that point on.

I remember my first trip to the Outer Banks in NC. I had three kids, my wife, tons of luggage and toys and the only car capable of making the trip to NC was my little 1991 Honda Accord. Not exactly a roomy traveling vehicle for a family of five and two-weeks’ worth of supplies.

So I bought a luggage bubble for the top of the car. And then discovered, without a roof rack, it wasn’t going to work. After drilling some of my own holes through the carrier and attaching some rubber strips, I was able to attach the bubble to the roof as long as my own ratchet straps could go through all four windows of the car.

That meant the windows were always open a crack AND the doors were lashed shut. To get out of the car someone had to loosen their strap, get out and release the straps for everyone else. We were the clown car from the circus.

Locked and loaded, our car was as tall as it was long. It looked like a tick ready to pop! I seriously don’t remember how we survived the trip. But I do remember the beach.

We didn’t make sandcastles; we made sand estates. I brought a garden-sized shovel so I could help dig create a massive sandy playground for my boys. The beaches weren’t raked every day, so we just kept adding to our workmanship. We packed Tonka trucks for the boys and made whole villages that survived everything even the rain.

It was a great vacation. The trip was a total drag, but the destination was worth it. Thinking about the destination – the sand, the sun, the waves and the unhurried family time together – thinking about the destination during the miserable journey made all the difference.

A clear image of your destination builds endurance for the journey.

That truth applies to your ability to last to the end of a meeting, getting through a difficult day, planning a new venture or even walking through a season of sorrow in your life. A clear image of your destination builds endurance on the journey. That brings me to one of my favorite stories. The Story of the Lost Son.

The youngest of two sons approached his father as demanded his share of the inheritance. He wanted it even before his dad died. His dad relented and watched in anguish as his son disappeared down the road.

The son burned through his inheritance on unbridled pleasure and wild living. I’m sure he thought this was the road to happiness. But he lost everything. The only job he could find was feeding pigs and what the pigs were fed was better than anything he could get. He lost his money, his dignity and his hope.

When he got to the end of his rope, an image appeared. The son got this picture of a new destination – not happiness but home. That picture got his grimy feet moving. How grueling that journey home must have been.  How many times was the son tempted to turn back in shame? How much did he wrestle with regret? But his picture of home was so vivid, his memory of his dad so powerful, he had to keep walking.

He hoped the Dad who loved him when he left – full of himself and full of cash – would still love him when returned, broke and broken. That hopeful image of his father drew him home and powered his difficult journey.

How did the Father survive the long wait? He had an image in HIS mind. He had a picture of his son, appearing over the crest of a hill, coming up the path toward home.

How do we know that? Because as Jesus told the story, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:20-24)

A long journey home and Dad was watching – scanning the horizon every day for this very moment so he could throw his arms around his prodigal and celebrate.

How clear is the image you hold for your destination? For today, tomorrow, for your marriage, your kids, for this season of life? I can tell you what I see.

Jesus told the story of the Lost Son’s journey illustrate the patient, stubborn and endless love of God as He waits for each of us to make our trip home. Whether it’s an overnight jaunt or a decade of detours, I see God waiting in love to welcome you home.

Can you get that picture in your windshield? God has a destination for you. The journey no doubt will have its hard times. And an adventure it will be. You might take detours. You might even be on a shortcut right now.

Let God help you with your destination and you’ll find endurance to get there. You’ll also find His love along the way.

It rained on the trip home from the Outer Banks. It rained hard. As it drained off the roof, the rain soaked the straps and dripped into the car. For hours, they dripped. Pretty much everybody got wet.

We were all looking forward to being in bed. Our destination now was a warm dry bed in AC at home. I left half of the luggage unloaded until the next morning. Bed felt fantastic. And the next year, we took a van to the beach.

Destinations are important. They guide our journeys. When they’re clear and we keep them visible, they build endurance on the journey.

My dad took a shortcut and although it came with a bunch of I-told-you-so’s, I am sure he was glad he was back on track, headed for home in PA. I wouldn’t know for sure. I was sprawled out asleep in the back with my brothers. All of us without seatbelts. It WAS the 70’s.

What a trip! Now, wherever your trips take you this season, remember: life is best – when you’re at home with God’s love – no matter where the journey takes you.

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