Life is a journey. We’re not where we were yesterday, nor are we yet where we’re going to be tomorrow. And mile markers help us to reflect on the journey behind us as we also anticipate and look forward to the journey ahead.
To be sure, life is filled with many major milestone moments – from graduations and weddings, to births, new jobs, and the like. These big events often provide natural moments of reflection. It’s clear things are changing and typically there’s a fair amount of collective acknowledgement of this shift. And together we honor and support each other through these transitions of life.
But, to be fair, milestones are not just for these major events. A milestone is any opportunity to mark our journey through life – reflecting on the road we’ve traveled and the road still yet to come.
For instance, this might be a personal decision to live a healthier lifestyle or commitment to grow our gifts into their full potential. Or it might be turning over a new leaf in our relationships, or simply marking another year of life on our birthday.
Whatever it looks like, a milestone marks a moment of reflection and reorientates us to our journey.
On the one hand, we look back, perhaps recalling our origin story, and remembering all it took to bring us to this point. Our days don’t happen in isolation, as they’re connected to all that’s come before.
At the same time, we look ahead, considering the blueprint of the life God has called us to. While our past matters, we don’t have to remain stuck doing the same thing. Everyday we have the freedom to make new choices toward God’s best for us regardless of our past.
We’re prone to remain lost and confused without meaningful and intentional milestones marking our way through life.
Take time to honor the various milestones throughout your life and relationships – marking the many miles already traveled and the ones still to come.
