Blake Long

“Are we there yet?” my five-year-old asked as we just got onto the highway for a five-hour drive. She asked that question—between driving there and home—20 to 25 times. Of course, five hours turns into six with two little girls (plus my wife) who need to use the bathroom every time there’s a gas station sign. Plus, when we go through Texas we make the obligatory stop at Buc-ee’s.

Halfway through the trip our car’s A/C compressor decided to stop working. A random mechanic shop in Denton, TX told us it had literally melted—yes, melted. So we sat in the tiny shop as a family of four for three and a half hours and then paid what felt like another mortgage payment. (I sound like I’m complaining, but it’s merely humorous at this point. God was gracious to us in the process and allowed us to still make it to our destination, even if it was five hours later.)

But back to the original point. My eldest, through the waiting and driving—and more waiting and driving—kept asking if we had made it. The answer, of course, was “No.” Sometimes it was a patient “no” — other times our answer had a little attitude with it.

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As I reflected back on our trip and the million times she asked if we had made it, it made me think of us Christians and our eternal home. If made me think, Yes, we’re almost there—we’re almost truly home.

Life seems long at times. Perhaps life is weighing you down and you’re under intense suffering. The cancer returned; you’re in terrible physical pain; your mind just doesn’t work like it once did. Yes, life can feel painstakingly slow in those moments. Eternity seems too far off in the valleys of anguish. But in the grand scheme of things, life is very short. “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am” (Psalm‬ ‭39‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬)! Even more so, James 4:4 says that “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Though the reality of suffering may cause us to feel like our days are dragging on, we are still only here for a little while. So when we ponder, “Are we there yet?” we can tell ourselves, “Almost.”

You’re almost there, Christian, so keep trusting in the Lord even when times are difficult.

You’re almost there, believer, so stay focused on God’s glory and don’t let the things of the world lead you astray.

You’re most there, friend, so continue to not believe the lies from the enemy.

Yes, we’re almost there. Keep believing.