The Pilgrim’s Journey

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion…”
1 Peter 1:1

What does it mean to be on a pilgrim’s journey? When we think of a journey we think of someone who is on the move. Movement, however, does not always mean that we are making progress or actually getting somewhere. We can walk on a treadmill for thirty minutes and still be in the same place where we started. We can do laps on a track and just be going around in circles. 

Peter begins his first epistle by addressing the followers of Christ as pilgrims. When we think of the word “pilgrim” we think of someone on a journey. Every follower of Christ is on a journey through this world. In the words of the songwriter, “This world is not my home/I’m just passing through.” Even though the followers of Christ are on a journey, it does not mean that they are wandering around in a fog. A pilgrim is someone who knows where he is, knows where he is heading, and knows how to get there.

Many years ago a popular song included the words “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” A pilgrim is not someone who is trying to find meaning or purpose in life, but someone who has found what he is looking for. A pilgrim is on a journey from earth to heaven, but on the journey the pilgrim never walks alone or wanders about without a purpose.

The Bible tells us to seek the Lord, but it also tells us that if we seek Him we will find Him. The pilgrim that the Bible addresses in 1 Peter is not someone who is walking about trying to find God, but someone who walks with God, who knows God, and is being guiding by God in every step he takes. The pilgrim is not looking “for his place in this world” because he has already found his place in Christ. The pilgrim’s purpose is Christ; the pilgrim’s destiny is Christ; the pilgrim’s progress is Christ. For the pilgrim, life is not about the journey, but about Christ.

A pilgrim is not someone who is “looking for the answers”, but someone who has found Christ to be the answer; not someone who is following Christ on his own terms, but someone who is following Christ on God’s terms; not someone who is trying to figure out the meaning to life, but someone who has found Christ to be his life.

A pilgrim is someone who walks in obedience to God’s words and is surrendered to His authority. A pilgrim has fully embraced the Lordship of Christ and is fully committed to the will of Christ. A pilgrim is a person of faith who trusts the One he is following, who walks in hope, who is kept by the power of God, who greatly rejoices, and who lives in the anticipation of an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved for the pilgrim at the end of his journey.

Comments

[Linda]

Thanks for this perspective. I was blessed by it. God bless you abundantly.

[Becky]

IN Christ, the pilgrim is always home.

[cathy]

Wow, such a wonderful insight on what it means to be a pilgrim.
In March, 2004, the Lord pointed out Psalm 84 verse 5, “Blessed
are those whose strength is in the Lord, who have set their hearts
on pilgrimage.” I wrote the verse in my Bible and over and over
again the Lord has called my attention to this verse. I have in my
meager way attempted to understand what it means to be on a
pilgrimage; your devotion today really gave me new and fresh
understanding.

Thank you for listening to Him and sharing with the rest of us.

Blessings,
Cathy

[Suzi Kneedler]

I just finished Beth Moore's STEPPING UP which is a Pilgrim's study through Psalms 120-128, and she has the same message. I think Jesus is getting our attention in a new way because He's coming back very soon. It's time for the Pilgrim Bride to prepare herself for her Groom.