lesson from a barista
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I was reminded of a biblical truth this morning from my friendly, unbelieving, Starbucks barista. We were talking about school, which we are both in, and she asked me how much longer I had. I replied, somewhat sarcastically, that I don’t want to talk about it because I still have four more years. She then replied, with a puzzled look on her face, “You shouldn’t be so down on yourself. Aren’t you working full time?” I nodded. She said, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”
For the first moment, I passed it off as some slogan of worldly wisdom, but then I immediately realized that what she had said was true. The attitude and tone of voice that I communicated to her was one of sludging through the next four years with the only hope and joy coming at the end. But joy doesn’t come from the cessation of the toil, but from God in the midst of the toil. It’s all about enjoying the process.
Although the way that the barista and I will tackle the journey is going to be different, the principle she stated is still correct – It’s about the journey, not the destination.
Micah, You of all people can have joy in the moment. That was a compliment. God has you exactly where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing and even meeting the people you are supposed to be meeting. Isn’t it great that along the way you can influence people for the Kingdom as you just go to school and do your work. That’s your job right now, and maybe for the rest of your life. God knows. The Prize will be more than worth it, we just have to be faithful along the way.
You gotta hand it to those baristas … dispensing Americanos with admonitions. Now you know why I’m a Gold Card member.
Hey micah james … I remember talking about Enjoying the Process a few years ago. I believe I asked you why your status was “ETPing” on your google chat.
And I’m in agreement with SKH … you gotta hand it to those baristas … they’re a pretty amazing bunch! 
John MacArthur said, when asked “What would you have done differently in your 40 years of ministry in the church?” that he would have had more patience. Maybe God is working that out in you through this process.
she sounds very postmodern