Acts 28:14-16  There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. (NIV)

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When you get where you’re going, where will you be? 

It’s important to know both your destination and how you will get there. My bride and I traveled to the West Coast on Friday. We rented a car and drove to a coastal city near where our son and his family reside. We spent the weekend with them and explored local attractions in the area. A tropical storm added to the adventure without derailing anything that we had planned.

We reversed course yesterday and drove through the rain to the airport. We enjoyed a smooth, safe flight home. We had just left the airport and hit rush-hour traffic when everything came to a standstill. I glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed a truck was barreling down on us. As it got closer, I could see the guy driving the truck holding his cell phone in both hands on top of the steering wheel. He had no idea what was going on around him, and he plowed right into the rear of our car. 

This is why we drive Volvos. 

I think this is the fourth or fifth time I have been rear-ended in traffic. After neck surgery and back surgery, it’s really not as fun as it seems to be to be rear-ended. Because we were in rush-hour traffic, we couldn’t stay where we were. There is no shoulder on the left side of the road where we were. Large concrete blocks separated the main lanes of traffic from the toll road. 

I signaled the guy who hit us to follow us to the other side of the road. People in traffic graciously allowed us to cross the road. The other guy kept going. 

It was good to finally get home after talking to a kind Euless police officer and our world-class insurance agent.

I love travel, and as noted before, the best part of travel is coming home. I really needed to sleep in my bed last night. I even slept through the alarm this morning. Now I’m late, and I do have a very busy day, beginning at ten minutes to 9:00. 

As painful as our journey was after leaving the airport, and as sore as my back is this morning, the Apostle Paul had a much more challenging journey that Acts 27 and 28 tell with such exacting and exciting detail. He got where he was going, and it was exactly where he knew he should be. 

Again, the question comes to us, When you get where you’re going, where will you be? No matter where you’re bound, obstacles will appear. Some people will make the journey harder than it has to be. Some will treat you with extreme kindness. Others will challenge you at every moment. Just remember who’s in charge of the destination and the journey. He will get you where you’re going, and he will prepare you for what you’re doing there. 

What are your best next steps today?

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I will journey with Jesus. 

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Our Father, thank you for keeping us from greater harm. Thank you for the kindness of strangers. Thank you for professionals who understand what they’re doing and do it with character and commitment. Thank you for blessing us so abundantly and getting us home safely at last. Amen.