Steve Massey: If we’re asking ‘Are we there yet?’ we’re missing Christmas message

‘Are we there yet?”

Kids have been asking that question since the birth of wheeled vehicles: “Are we there yet?”

It occurred to me recently that I am still struggling to learn my parents’ – indeed, all parents’ – exasperated answer: “Why don’t you just enjoy the scenery?”

In relationships, in work, even in recreation, I can struggle to enjoy the scenery. Always anticipating what is next, I sometimes miss the joy and wonder of life’s moments passing by.

Can you relate to this? I thought so.

Case in point: This Christmas season, many of us have already packed our calendars with good things. And the joy of celebrating with friends, the thrill of giving, even the warmth and sacredness of worship may be diminished by an inner press toward whatever is next.

Endurance, not enjoyment, is the prevailing mood when we’re anxiously anticipating the next thing at the expense of what’s in front of us.

The older I get, the more I realize I do not need better planning.

I need an entirely different mindset if I’m to more fully enjoy life’s scenery. And the very person whose birth I’m celebrating this time of year is my example to follow.

In his incarnation, Jesus willingly accepted human limitations.

Think of it: As eternal God, Jesus always was and is omnipresent – everywhere at once. But as Christ lived among people, he willingly confined himself to a human body that was in just one place at one time. And everywhere Jesus went, whoever or whatever was in front of him got his best.

In other words, Jesus never asked “Are we there yet?” He shows us that “there” is wherever we’re at – at that instant. Whatever life is to be experienced there, whatever good is to be done there, whatever blessing is to be shared there … it’s available there, in that moment.

Indulge the inner press toward what’s next and miss what is right now.

Jesus shows us what it is to live and serve others with contentment, purposefully embracing the present.

As I write this, my smartphone is vibrating – a call has come in. A quick glance at the screen tells me who is ringing, betrays an awaiting Facebook message, and two new emails. (Incredibly, the same quick glance lets me know that ESPN has an updated score for a game I’m following.)

Even as I write these words, I feel the pull: “Are we there yet?”

Smartphone makers are, well, smart. They’ve designed their products around my press toward what is next. Yours, too.

But we can’t blame the phones. As with many technology problems, this one is operator related.

What do you suppose it might look like for us to at least try taking our parents’ advice and enjoying the scenery?

It might look like giving other people our full attention when they’re right in front of us. Do we see their smile, their frown, and truly take in their words? The joy of relationship is simply being with someone, not getting through something with them, right?

Enjoying the scenery might also look a lot like finding contentment in routine, ordinary things. Most of life is not a big thrill; it’s delightfully ordinary. If we don’t enjoy ordinary things, we will miss most of life.

Perhaps enjoying the scenery means expressing gratitude to God many times throughout each day. Prayerful gratitude forces us to stop and think of the moments that have just passed, moments we must not presume will pass by us again.

Is it possible our parents were right?

Maybe life’s journey is best when we simply enjoy the scenery.