Mind the Gap

When I was still living in England, I had to take the train to get anywhere out of town. Although skeptical of public transport at first, I soon grew to love the train system. The one thing that I noticed right away was that as the train pulled into the station, the loud speakers would crackle to life. "We are approaching __________ Station. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge" would echo throughout the station and train itself. Sure enough, as the doors opened up onto the platform, you'd look down to see a six inch gap between the train and the tracks below. Making sure to take a hefty step from door to platform, I'd follow the traffic of people flowing out and go about my business.

Now, one week ago, I was in church for the first time in awhile. Though I love my new job, it does take up much of my week, including early Sunday afternoons. This Sunday was no exception, and I was only able to stay for the beginning of church. As the sermon started, I realized that the topic for the past couple week had been "The Life You Live". My pastor began his sermon, and as he spoke, I realized how much what he was saying resonated with me. One thing that really struck a chord was when he asked the congregation, "Are you living the life you want to live?" He followed that thought by asking, "Is there a gap between where you want to be in life and where you are?" These questions have led me here, to this blog post.

I've been mulling those questions over in my head now for a week. Granted, I've really been putting off thinking about them since coming back to Canada. But the image of a gap is what really hit me this time around. Let me put it this way:
If I look at where I'm at as being a train platform, and where I want to go as being getting on the train, then I would say I'm still sitting on the platform, trying to wave down the passing trains. Sometimes I feel like the gap between me and the train I want is immeasurable, a distance almost greater than the journey itself. Other times, it seems like things are going my way and the trains are lined up to take me to my next destination. 

It's a funny thing, waiting for wherever you're going next in life. It's also hard to not be so forward-focused that you miss out where you are now. It's difficult when I know where I WANT to go, but going back and asking God where do I NEED to go. As much as I love to think I know best, I don't. So I keep trying to make the most of my time here, wherever "here" may be, still looking towards my future destination, bridging the gap between where I am and where I know I'm destined to go.