It's often said, "life is a journey and not a destination." While that can also be said about the Christian life, the destination is nonetheless crucial to the journey. It drives the journey. Christians are pilgrims on the move toward a heavenly city. To help pilgrims stay the course so that they reach their final destination, the writer to the Hebrews encourages them by acknowledging the journey is tough, but the tough stuff is not tough luck but God's tough love for his beloved children, so that we prioritise holiness. Knowing heaven is the goal also enables pilgrims to stay focused so that they reach their heavenly home, so that they enjoy God's presence forever more.