TO CHEW ON: "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage." Psalm 84:5
One way the Bible describes believers is as pilgrims. Eugene Peterson unpacks the pilgrim image in his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society
:"Pilgrim (parepidemos) tells us we are people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God, and whose path for getting there is the way, Jesus Christ. We realize 'this world is not my home,' and set out for the 'Father's house.' Abraham who 'went out,' is our archetype. Jesus answering Thomas's question, 'Master, we have no idea where you're going. How do you expect us to know the road?' gives us directions: 'I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from Me (John 14:5-6)" - p. 18.
Our pilgrimage through life will be a mixed adventure. There will be "Valleys of Baca"—dry, difficult, dangerous places (Valley of Baca means "Valley of tears"). But because we find our strength in God, "They (we) make it a spring." Doesn't this remind us of John 14:14: "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
However, heaven is not unresponsive, the psalmist reassures. "The rain also covers it (that Valley of Baca) with pools." The rain is "...the early rain that begins to fall in the autumn and gives new life to sprouting plants and strength to men" explains my Bible's footnote - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 751.
The journey finally ends in God's courts where "A day...is better than a thousand." In other words, the destination is worth all the effort to get there.
Where are you on your pilgrimage today? Whether in a dry, tearful Valley of Baca, or on a path surrounded by pools of blessing, stay the course. Your destination, "God's courts" (as in your final home of heaven, or your experience of God's presence even as you journey) is well worth the quest.
PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to be a faithful and brave pilgrim through whatever landscape life takes me. Please refresh that fountain of living water springing up in me. Amen.
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