Experience vs. Destination

I’ve been to Hawaii twice now. The first time we flew Hawaiian Airlines, and this time US Airways. As I flew over the ocean on this trip it struck me how different the experience was on the different airlines. Now before I write, please know I love US Airways. I’m a frequent flier and they’ve always treated me great. They are the only airline I fly now. That said…

Our flight to Hawaii on Us Air was good, but it was just like any other flight. All of the employees were kind and courteous, the flight was uneventful, and we landed in Hawaii on time.

Our flight on Hawaiian Airlines was much more of an experience. As we boarded, the stewardesses greeted us with a warm “aloha”. The music being played over the speakers was soothing Hawaiian music. The video players were showing shots of beautiful Hawaiian landscape. The on-board meal had a Hawaiin flair (chicken with a pineapple terryaki glaze). During the flight there was a display screen that showed our in-air progress towards Hawaii (for some reason, this was fun).

 The difference in the two flights was clear. US Airways took me to a destination. Hawaiian Air helped me to experience the journey to the same destination. I enjoyed the experience and felt more excited about landing in Hawaii. If I was undecided on who to fly to Hawaii, I would definitely take Hawaiian because of the experience.

As Christians, I think so many times we focus on helping people reach a destination (finding Christ, eternal life), that we forget we’re on a journey that people want to experience. People aren’t searching for a destination, they’re searching for an experience. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the only way to eternal life, and people need Him! My thought is more along the lines of how we help them come to Jesus.

Jesus taught experience. He said “come follow me”. Obviously we’re following Him to a destination, but the journey should be an experience. I think we would be much more effective in reaching our communities for Christ if we helped them to experience Him, not just tell them about the destination.

Jesus is the most controversial person in history. He did and said radical things. People are drawn to controversy, the extraordinary, and people who do extreme things. Man, if you truly read the gospels and comprehend what Jesus did, it’s awesome. Wherever he went either lives were changed or people rioted; often it was both. If we encourage others to experience Christ, He will draw them to Himself.

Unfortunately, Christians are infamous for criticizing/judging people who we feel haven’t reached the same point in the journey as we have. This causes people who are far from Christ to feel like they can never reach “the destination”, and it sours their experience. This is exactly the attitude Jesus railed against; He hated legalism, empty religion, and people who kept others from coming to Him.

Too many churches are all about the destination. It’s my heart the Palm Valley will be about the experience on the journey towards the destination. I love watching people take these steps before my eyes. I love watching seekers understand what it means to be in a relationship with Christ. I love watching new believer’s take their first steps in following Him. I love watching followers of Christ live beyond themselves and dream of reaching the world for Christ; and then actually doing something to accomplish it.

I’m passionate about helping people experience Christ. Helping them to understand what it means to follow Him. I want to build environments in our church where people, no matter where they’re at in the spiritual journey, can take steps closer to Him. I believe this is what Paul was writing in Philippians when he said “this work shall be completed at the day of Christ”. As one journeyer to another, let’s enjoy the experience as we follow Jesus. What a radical life!