On the Bridge
I’m just watching the tracks disappear into nothingness and waiting for the train to give them meaning. The tracks were constructed to remain, to wait for trains that would take people to their destination.
But where is my destination?
Do I have a destiny?
Is destiny the same as destination?
Again, I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favour to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. -Ecclesiastes 9:11
As I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind spun with the same question that haunted me every night: What should I do with my life? Everyone else seemed to have it figured out: a clear path, a plan, a purpose. But me? I felt stuck at a crossroads with no signs to guide me.
One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I went for a walk to see the trains go by. I didn’t live far from the tracks and loved hearing them go by. It had become white noise to me, and it felt good.
I felt that moving my feet would untangle my thoughts. The chilly air nipped at my ears, but it felt refreshing. I felt like I was waking up to listen to other sounds around me. As I wandered, I passed a park where kids laughed and played. They didn’t seem worried about where they were going or what they were supposed to be doing. They were just there, in the moment, having fun. Nothing seemed to distract them. I remember my drama teacher saying, “Stay in the moment.”
I figured my life was like the field trips and hikes my friends invited me to. They are winding, unpredictable, and full of surprising little detours. I have camped in a 150-year-old farmhouse, explored walks in hidden forests, and rowed a boat on a “family” lake. The hikes were always an adventure, with unexpected twists and turns and breathtaking views that made the journey worthwhile. Like life, they taught me to appreciate the journey, not just the destination.
That night, as I sat back on my bed, I reminded myself of a practice I would adopt: take it one step at a time. If something doesn’t feel right, I can pivot, change direction, and try something new. It was a realization of the freedom I had to shape my journey, to choose my path. Every little move I make is part of my journey, and I don’t have to see the end to know I’m moving forward. I started to think about the things I loved: the sheer joy of reading late into the night, the thrill of writing in my journal, the passion for writing poetry, and the excitement of dreaming about travelling to places I’d only seen in factual documentaries.
My favourite line popped into my head: every little bit counts.
My path wasn’t clear yet, but that was okay. I sense assurance welling up in me; there is hope that one day, at the appointed time, I’ll cross the bridge of my destination into my destiny.
My times are in God’s hand. He has a plan for my life, just like he told Jeremiah: For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
jjf 2025
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