It's the Journey, Stupid!

I was walking along the riverfront with a recently graduated student.  We often met to walk and talk about all sorts of life, relationship, spiritual, moral, deep issues.  We also worked together ... alot ... I miss that ... but, that's not the story ...
As we walked along, we saw a boy up ahead, fishing.  He had a cheap Shakespeare pole with a cheaper Ebco reel.  His "bait bucket" was a coffee can and he had a 5 gallon bucket to throw his catch into.  The bucket had what looked like an old leash tied to it so he could lower it over the seawall to get water.  As we got close, I asked the obligatory, "Catch anything?"
We talked for awhile about his love of fishing.  He fished every day after school and most weekends.  Usually he caught something, sometimes he didn't.  He ate what was edible and threw back what wasn't.  Rain, shine, hot or cold - it didn't matter.  He just liked to fish.
Last weekend, my 3 sons took part in a fishing tournament.  The oldest caught 2 fish.  The middle son caught 1 fish and the youngest didn't catch any.  There were some prizes handed out for the most catches and a really nice "goodie" bag full of lures, hooks, bobbers and other tackle.  But, it wasn't about the stuff; it was about fishing!
I think we waste the best part of the experience anticipating the outcome.  It's like the whole thing is wasted if we don't achieve the desired result.  The goal is the only thing that matters.  It's success or failure based on the performance matrix of desired outcomes.
What about our life with Christ?  Is it all about the desired outcomes of Salvation, Worry Free Life, Help in Times of Trouble, Material Comfort, Success?  If it is all about the end result, then there can be no joy in the journey.  What about, "Consider it all joy when you encounter troubles ..."?  What about knowing "the fellowship of His sufferings"?  Sounds fun doesn't it.
And yet that is the very place you will find the best parts of God - in the journey every day as he demonstrates time and time again that His strength really is sufficient.  It is not in the places that everything is going according to plan that we encounter the awe, wonder and amazement that is God.
To borrow from the Clinton campaign in '92, "It's the journey, stupid!"
It's in the journey, not the destination.  Success is measured in continuing growth, not in singular achievement. Don't waste it!