Every kid who has ever had to endure a long, boring journey in the backseat of their station wagon or mini-van has asked this question at least once every few minutes, “Are we there yet?” And every parent who has ever had to endure this long, annoying journey behind the wheel had the same answers, “Almost”, “Just a few more minutes”, or “No, so quit asking.” It’s been said that the average American kid, regardless of how much technology they bring with them, gets bored only after 30 minutes! It’s also been said that a mother (because she has to hand out snacks, juice, and referee fights) endures more stress on this journey than she does on the job. Wow!

I like journey’s but I’m not always patient with them. As a man I just want to get from point A to point B as quickly as I can. I do like to avoid the traffic and take the occasional side road, much to the chagrin of my family, but getting to where I’m going is still my priority.

There is a great story about a boy who became a man and the journey that he endured. His name is Joseph and you can find his story in the book of Genesis chapters 37-50. In short it’s about a 17 year old boy, who like most boys of that age is a bit arrogant. He has a dream, his brothers don’t like it so they plot to kill him and instead sell him into slavery. His slave owners sell him to one of the king’s men but then this man’s wife falsely accuses him of rape and he’s thrown into prison. He spends two years in prison and then one day is released and becomes a highly respected man. But, it’s his 13 year journey that tells me a few things. . .

1. The journey always begins with a dream (Genesis 37: 6-8). You and I have a dream. Mine is different from yours and yours is different from mine. What is your dream? What is it that keeps you up at night besides some bad pizza? What is it that gives you goose bumps when you talk about it? What is it that you would spend the rest of your life doing if you knew you could not fail? One of Webster’s definitions of a dream is, a strongly desired goal or purpose. God has a dream for you and I believe He even dreams about you. His Word tells us in Ephesians 3:20 that He wants to do far more than whatever it is that you and I can ask or even imagine! However, sometimes we have to be humbled before God can exalt us.

2. The journey is always a challenging one (Genesis 37-41). It’s full of detours, unexpected tolls, flat tires, being stuck in traffic, roadblocks, and the occasional “I gotta pee!!.” Leaving the driveway in pursuit of your dream is where the real test begins. You’ve left the safety and comfort of your own home and have traversed into the unknown. What a leap of faith this is. You can get a “trip check” done on your car, map out your route, and plan for every possible scenario but inevitably there is always something that will come up. Where are you being challenged? Are you ready to turn the car around? Are you stuck in traffic or on the side of the road? Or are you simply lost and don’t know your way? Do you feel like crying out, “Are we there yet??” Personally, I believe the biggest challenge Joseph faced was the prison experience of this journey. For two years he sat locked up, chained up, and perhaps fed up. When you have a dream it’s hard to sit still and feel as though you’ve been forgotten. It’s not fun being stuck!

3. The journey always comes to an end (Genesis 41:40). How will it end for you? Will it end with you quitting or will it end with you persevering? Will your dream live or will it die?

Let me encourage you to not give up, to not quit, and to not turn around. I know your journey has been tough and it feels like you are in your own prison and you wonder if anyone even sees or remembers you. I can assure you that God does. Throughout this entire 13 year journey from an arrogant dreamer as a 17 year old boy to the humble promotion of a 30 year old man the Bible says that, “The Lord was with Joseph in a special way.” Joseph remained faithful as a slave in Potiphar’s house, he remained faithful in prison, and he remained faithful when he was promoted. Be faithful where you are even if it’s not where you want to be right now. Joseph dreamed of his preferment but he did not dream of his imprisonment. It was unexpected. The challenges that we face in this life are usually the instruments in which God uses to accomplish the dream that He has for us. A good man or woman will do good wherever he/she is and they will remain faithful. We learn in our disappointments to trust in God only. Men will forget about us. They will make promises that they cannot keep but our God is faithful to complete the good work in us that He started (Philippians 1:6).

Enjoy the journey! We’re almost there!