Star Travel

Every time we have our first snowfall I remember the words my grandmother said when we telephoned to let her know we were setting off on our annual Christmas trek to Chicago, "Jeffrey, drive safe. Go with God." I always wondered if she were really saying that if I didn't make the trip safely, then God hadn't afforded me the protection she wanted for me. One winter's day I drummed up the courage to ask, "Grandma, if I get into an accident, does that mean God wasn't watching over me?" "No." she said. "Then you'll go with God to the hospital!" Grandma was always wiser than her smart alecky, firstborn grandson.

Grandma knew something about going along life's highways and byways. Like the Wise Men who traveled to see the Christ Child, Grandma knew the difference between traveling and journeying. Traveling gets you from here to there. You can go fast or slow. You can take time to smell the roses, or let the scenery whiz by without a glance. You can find yourself herding along with others, or sauntering in solitaire - doesn't matter. The goal of traveling is to keep movin' on so ya get where you're goin'!

Journeying, on the other hand is always an adventure. The trip is always just as important as the destination. Time isn't measured by distance traveled, but by how much you discover along the way. There's no sense of herding, or being herded. People who grace your path along the way and step in stride with you, briefly or for a longer haul, are always companions - folks to break bread with, share stories with, laugh with, dream dreams with, and make memories with. The goal of journeying is to be aware, all the while, God is takin' ya to where God is gettin' ya!

Travelers have long memories. They work painstakingly to cultivate deep memories of long ago stuff. That, partly, accounts for their lack of real experience along the way. No road looks good when you're travelin' in a rut! But that's OK, cuz travelers are well on their way painfully on their way to gettin' where they're goin'. "Been there done that."

Journey folks remember stuff, too. But mostly they recall gettin' caught up in the wonder of it all. The details kinda blur, but they relish the Wonder -alone and together. "God led us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; to a land flowing with milk and honey!"

Travelers ask questions in order to maintain control. Folks on a journey ask questions because there's so much room to grow. Travelers follow directions, religiously. Folks on a journey follow God, even in defiance of religion!

Travelers' faith comes right out of the Good Book, "Hey, if God gave me a sign big as a bright shining star I'd know what to do different." Journey faith comes out of the Good Book, too, "Look at all those stars. Some are bright, some twinkle. I better stay alert as I get on with it. Surely God made at least one of 'em just for me!'

Traveler's pray only when they get caught off guard. They're prayer sounds like a monologue - somebody tellin' God what ought to happen, "Tell me. Show me. Gimme my Star!" Then the traveler sulks cuz God hasn't taken up the challenge, won't play the 'I dare ya to dazzle me out o’ my funky disbelief game.'

Those on journey pray whenever they get caught up in the Wonder - the mercy and love of God - which happens often. Their prayer is definitely a dialogue - a conversation with a Companion - a bread sharer, "Wow! Look at that! Can ya believe that? Whadda ya make o' that? Which of those Stars is for me to share today?" Then those on journey stop kickin' dust. They pause to see if the Star is God's gift of a new direction, a new light, a new insight, a new Epiphany of God active in the world, for the world, cunningly disguised like the Christ Child, new hope, a new mission, new life!

Travelers move stealthily. Seems so anyway. They're hard to see, travelin' in the rut like they do. Those on journey nearly miss 'em, until the travelers shriek their blast from the past, "Look out! Don't go there! We've never done it that way before!"

You can spot those on journey. They wonder as they wander, glancin' at the next curve. Can't wait to see what God's doin' up ahead. Their bumps in the road are springboards by which to see more Wonder. They laugh often, especially at themselves. When they cry, even through their tears you can see they got Stars in their eyes. Wisely, they go with God, like grandmas and Wise Men - alone and together.