something short of holy

Our camp director used to share a variation of this parable:

Some kids from down south were traveling towards Michigan on a school trip. None of them had known the pleasure of snow before, and were eagerly anticipating the chance to ski, skate, and drill one another with perfectly formed snowballs. The bus driver, who had been to the destination, was excited on account of the kids, understanding how much of a blast they were about to have.

As the bus traveled into northern Tennessee, a few kids looked out the window and caught a glimpse of some snow off the side of the road. "Stop and let us play in the snow!" they screamed. The bus driver tried to explain that the roadside snow was dirty and undesirable, but the kids kept insisting he stop. The bus driver said, "Okay, those who want to get out can, but you are delaying the trip." A number of kids exited the bus and covered one another with the roadside snow. When they returned, they fell asleep on the bus, satisfied that the trip had been a success.

Hours later, the bus passed through Indianapolis, and some of the kids that were still awake marveled at the clumpy drifts forming in the cornfields. Some of them exclaimed, "Stop and let us play in the snow!" Again the bus driver recommended that they wait just a few more hours, and that any detour would delay the real destination. Still, many of the children insisted on stopping, and the driver let them out to jump around in the empty fields. They also returned after their interest was satisfied and promptly fell asleep.

Only a few kids were still awake as the driver rolled into Michigan, jaws dropping to the floor in wonder of the fresh blankets of snow that covered the hilly terrain. The lakes were frozen solid with thick sheets of crystal clear ice, and they could see a myriad of locals building snowmen and creating snow angels. The bus driver cheerfully announced their arrival at the winter resort, but sadly only a handful of children were interested; the others had already "seen" snow. The few that had waited patiently exited to a wonderland of snowy fun that kept them occupied for hours.

On the ride home, each child called their parents to tell them how fantastic their trip was, and how they had experienced the best of winter there was to offer, regardless of which point the child had exited to play in the snow. Each child was fully convinced that it couldn't get any better.

How do you respond when God promises you His best? Do you accept something slightly less than holy and convince yourself you've received the real deal, or do you wait for His perfect approval? Do you fudge your own desires into the journey for His destination, or do you keep the path clear of distractions? What wonderful things does God want for your life, and are you committed to accepting His perfect blessing even if you've already played in the dirty snow? Are you worth enough for His best?