O - Pilgrimage is a "hassle" on so many counts and yet is connected to the strength which is found only in the Lord. This strength is essential and exclusive - only one source: Jesus. Every human being is on a journey and all of us are in refugee status, i.e. we have no choice in the fact that we are temporarily on this planet. We are “forced” on to earth and we will be “forced” off. The pilgrimage of the Psalms is not identical to the refugee status of the human race. It is the willing engagement of travel, of transit, of a refusal to get too settled, of the volition to keep moving because one is NOT yet home (i.e. in their permanent place of residence). IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps and bridge embankments can become the settled places humans live by choice … as are condos, luxury suites and all-American neighborhoods. The pilgrimage which brings kingdom strength to bear is an intentional and consistent attitude of the heart; a mindset, worldview, an apparatus for life which one relentlessly pursues for the sake of love … of loving Jesus back and welcoming the Father's will and kingdom on earth as it happens in heaven. It involves many avoidable troubles, hassles, hardships and self-denials which the refugees-only of this world cannot understand. For those who so engage, they find that they do move from strength to strength and are a transforming presence among the refugees-only of this age. Refugees on pilgrimage are intentional and have a specific destination in mind … one they could never get to on their own and one they cannot miss because of the One who leads their pilgrimage.
A - Pilgrimage does not exempt me from all the hassles of refugee status. In fact, it certainly increases them from time to time and much of the time. There is a fairly consistent push to settle, to engage the lawful and deadly compromise of ending the pilgrimage and just holding still right where I am; a waiting which is not vigilant and degenerates from living into mere existence. This is true in all aspects of life. Intellect, spirit, finance, occupation, marriage, friendships, etc. … and herein lies the choking-out of the words of life (according to Jesus' parable of the sower - and he's the expert). A heart set on pilgrimage will keep one moving, growing and ultimately going from strength to strength and this how I want to live and must live. Pilgrimage requires a willingness to:
1. Engage the unknown and previously untried (by me anyway).
2. Intentionally refuse the intoxication and allurement of lawful things.
3. Keep the person and personal nature of the journey before and above all else.
4. Believe, risk, trust and give away.
5. Admit more than a refugee status and to desire more than mere existence.
P - God of all and God of me,
I admit my refugee status is among the best this world has ever known and one I do not deserve. I also admit that it is given to me by you so that my pilgrimage would be effective and also enable others. I want to move from strength to strength. I want to come and stand before you in Zion … not only at the end of the age and my life (of this I have no choice) but all throughout my life as I follow you. Lord, help me know more and more how to live the life that is really life; to lose my life so that you will take it up again. Because of you and unto you I want to believe, risk, trust and give away; to not only experience your deeds but to learn your ways. I admit again that every Scripture promise is true and every Kingdom principle is eternal AND there is no formula - real life always requires you, Lord Jesus. So, today while it’s called today, I mix your promises with faith and welcome your will on earth (in me) like they do in heaven. I set my heart on pilgrimage and look forward to the journey because of your presence. Lead on, Lord I will follow.
Steve
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