“Dad, are we there yet??” If you are a parent, then you know what this question means. You can imagine the long trip and how many times the kids will ask this question. In your mind, you can ride all day without stopping, but you know there will be many stops along the way. When you finally get to your destination, it is such a good feeling. My hope is that we are all on a road to a dream or a goal. The greater the goal, then usually the longer the road to get there. 

From my house to New York City is a 15 hour drive, I want you to imagine reaching this city as reaching your greatest dream. You can say, “Well, I am going to fly to New York, I would never drive that distance.” That is also the mindset of many people with their goals, we want a fast track, we want to avoid the grind. However, that is not how life works and very rarely does one get the plane ride to their dream. The sad thing is that when one hears of how long the ride maybe, they decide to just stay home and never get in the car. The first step to your dream is answering the call that you can achieve, packing a bag to live differently, and getting out of the driveway of your normal routine. 

Now, on a 15 hour drive, there are many stops along the way. Some stops are to meet our needs with rest, fuel, and food. Then other stops are things out of our control; a traffic jam, detour, or maybe a flat tire. Our rest, fuel, and food are a part of our intentional plan to arrive on time. Just like reaching a goal requires a plan, matching daily habits, and the ability to refuel for a consistent journey. There are also the exits of steps or mini goals to be accomplished. Some may never reach their ultimate goal, because they are satisfied with the exit of minor success. They make this stop their destination, forfeit their dream, and decide to just live on the exit of comfort. We never grow in our comfort zone and the interstate of dreams is one of discomfort. 

We also often run into obstacles in life that derail us from our dreams. This could be a bad choice, discouragement, or a tragedy. Many times, we get off the road on the exits of negative life circumstances and just keep on driving toward them. Some of us are seemingly building a house off the exit of disappointment. If we are not careful, we will be living there for the rest of our lives. Understand that these life moments do not define you or determine your final destination unless you let it. I have never heard a motivational speaker say they reached their dreams with zero problems. Ironically, they always speak as to how their obstacles were the driving force to help them reach their goals. They may have been detoured on a bad path, but they decided to get off that exit and put the car back on the interstate. Whatever exit you maybe on toward your calling, it is to time to get off the exit and drive once more.

I love the quote by Lily Tomlin, “The road to success is always under construction.” The ride to New York could definitely seem that way, like it is going to be a slow grueling process. However, the important thing to remember is that as long as you are on the road, then you are making progress. Many times this means we will need the help of others. When I grew up, we did not have GPS, we had road maps and had to ask people for directions. Even if you are asking for directions or hitchhiking, steps are still being made. Sometimes it may require you to stick your thumb out there and ask someone for help. None of us have achieved anything without the help of other people. However, do not ask for directions from a fool or catch a ride with someone not going toward your destination. Surround yourself with people that have a correlating mindset and mission in life. 

So get up early and get yourself on the road. Do not wait any longer!  Have a plan, stop when necessary, but make sure to get off the exit and back on the interstate. Remember, you will need people along the way, but ask from the right people. The key to great success is long term consistency. In the right time, you will achieve your goals, but you will realize that the true joy was found in the journey. Reaching New York is a metaphor, but there is not doubt it is a city of new opportunity. The awesome thing is that once you arrive at your dream, it is not the end. Every dream provides another great opportunity. The Lord has an unbelievable plan for our lives; our life is a beautiful journey if we allow it to be so and continue on the road. Remember you are ‘Born to be Special”, just keep taking steps and keep your foot on the pedal.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:14

Top Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash

Bottom Photo by Fezbot2000 on Unsplash