Joy in the Journey

There is a joy in the journey.

There’s a light we can love on the way.

There is a wonder and wildness to life,

And freedom for those who obey.

All those who seek it shall find it;

A pardon for all who believe,

Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind.

To all who’ve been born of the Spirit,

And who share incarnation with Him,

Who belong to eternity, stranded in time, 

And weary of struggling with sin.

Forget not the hope that’s before you, 

And never stop counting the cost,

Remember the hopelessness when you were lost?

Joy in the Journey - Michael Card

Wonderful poet, deep-thinking theologian, and gifted musician. All those terms describe Michael Card. The link above is to a live performance with just Michael, the piano, and a cellist. So beautiful! 

I remember sweeping a house in Decatur while waltzing to this music, truly feeling “a wonder and wildness to life.” Our little church plant met in that house, and we were preparing for a wedding. It was around 1989, and the song was new to me then. Different phrases have been more meaningful at different seasons. Sometimes “who belong to eternity, stranded in time, and weary of struggling with sin” resonates the most. (“That’s right, I don’t quite belong here...”) Other times I need to be reminded to press on - “Forget not the hope that’s before you.” It is all a journey, and there is always joy in some measure.