Claire was always chasing the next goal—graduation, career, marriage, the dream home. Her days were filled with checklists and calendar alerts, but behind the polished exterior was a woman exhausted, stressed, and strangely unfulfilled. Even as she achieved everything she had planned, she felt a growing disconnect from her family, her faith, and herself. The more she accomplished, the less joy she felt.

It wasn’t until her young daughter asked, “Mommy, are you even listening?” that Claire’s heart cracked open. In that quiet moment, she realized she had been present in body but absent in spirit. On her knees that night, she cried out to God—and felt Him gently whisper, “I never asked you to race, only to follow.” From then on, she started living differently—slower, more intentional, more in step with Jesus. Not perfect, but finally present.

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves striving to “arrive”—whether that’s in our careers, relationships, ministries, or personal goals. But as followers of Christ, we’re reminded that life is not just about reaching the next milestone. It’s about walking with God daily, trusting Him with the journey just as much as the destination.

What Happens When We Focus Too Much on the Destination?

• We get caught up in achieving and forget the joy of abiding (John 15:4)
• We rush through seasons God wants us to grow in
• We miss divine appointments and opportunities to bless others
• We become impatient when God’s timeline doesn’t match ours
• We finish tasks but feel spiritually dry or emotionally empty

How Can We Savor the Journey With God?

Here are a few ways we can slow down and walk in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25):

1. Seek God’s Presence Daily

Instead of rushing into your day, invite God in. Prayer, worship, and quiet moments with His Word re-center your heart on what truly matters.

2. Value People Over Productivity

Jesus always made time for people—even when He was “on the way” somewhere (Mark 5:21–43). Look for moments to love, serve, and connect with those around you.

3. Practice Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s next to what God is doing right now.

4. Pursue God-Given Passions

God places desires and talents in our hearts for a reason (Psalm 37:4). Explore them—not just to “achieve,” but to glorify Him through the process.

5. Enjoy God’s Creation and Rest

Even Jesus withdrew to quiet places to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). Don’t be afraid to pause. Rest is not lazy—it’s holy.

A Metaphor: Life as a Dance

One picture that’s helped me is imagining life as a dance. When I try to lead—focusing too much on getting the steps “right”—I lose the joy. But when I let God lead, when I trust His rhythm and timing, I feel freedom and flow.

The joy is in the dance—not just the destination.

Final Encouragement

Pursuing goals isn’t wrong—in fact, God often gives us dreams to chase. But when the chase becomes more important than Christ, we miss the beauty of His presence along the way.

If you’re feeling weary or unfulfilled, ask yourself: Am I walking with God, or running ahead of Him? He doesn’t just want to meet you at the finish line. He wants to walk with you, grow you, and love you—step by step.

So slow down. Savor the journey. And trust that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6)—in His perfect time.

Take the first step toward peace, presence, and purpose. Reach out today and start your journey toward healing.