I am a pilgrim, heaven-bound.

The Heavenly Hope

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

What do you think of when you hear/read the word Pilgrim? Maybe like me, you think of thanksgiving, the Mayflower, or dressing up in school in hats & bonnets as they taught us how to churn butter.

We will forever associate the word pilgrim with those in bonnets & hats who journeyed on the Mayflower, but the term “pilgrim” goes beyond this stereotype.

first, let’s look at what the word “pilgrim” actually means??

As defined by Merriam-Webster

pilgrim

noun

pil·​grim ˈpil-grəm 

Synonyms of pilgrim

1

: one who journeys in foreign lands : WAYFARER

2

: one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee

The famous pilgrims in history that have us thinking of thanksgiving every time we hear the word, were a group of English citizens who decided to separate from the church of England and practice Christianity freely. (There is so much more to this that you can research and learn but for the sake of keeping this post short and simple, I am leaving it at that.)

They traveled to the “New World” (America) via the Mayflower ship & ended up being taught by Native Americans how to plant corn, hunt, etc. in order to survive. This is where our Thanksgiving holiday comes from. (Again, there are so many more details to this history but trying to keep things simple)

So, because they were a religious group of people traveling to a foreign land, they were labeled “pilgrims”.

Living Before the World

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:11-12

So, what is a pilgrim today and why do I call myself a pilgrim?

Because, I understand that this world is not my home. I am a pilgrim traveling through this this life, heaven-bound.

I am traveling in this body (or vessel) that God has given me to use on this pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of Heaven that I know I will inherit once my pilgrimage here has come to an end.

 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.  In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

Mark 10:17-31

This pilgrimage is an individual journey that we all are called to take. It looks different but also similar for everyone. Different in terms of directions, paths, interactions, etc. but similar in guidance and destination.

I may not have the answers to the many questions you have about this journey, but I can say with confidence who does – God!

It is essential to have the right guidance on this journey.

You would not set out on a long journey without proper preparation & tools to get you from point A to point B. It is the same for this journey that we are on. Our road map (scripture) & GPS (holy spirit) are the right tools/guide for this pilgrimage.  

Our road map (Bible) is so important to understand further the journey in which we are on & learn from those who have traveled before us.

Someone would never be given a driver’s license who hasn’t learned the rules of the road. Even though our GPS (Holy Spirit) knows the way & can tell us where to go, if we are unfamiliar with the rules of the road how could we possibly understand what the GPS is telling us.

When I am driving in a unknown place that I have never seen before and am relying on my GPS to get me to where I need to go, even though the GPS is telling me where to go, I still make wrong turns, get turned around, and even sometimes lost. I am sure I am not alone in this! “In 200 feet make a U-turn” -GPS famous words after a wrong turn.

But when I am more familiar with the roads, I may not quite know my way around by memory but with the GPS’s help I can more easily get to where I need to go with fewer wrong turns.

No person, that is here on earth, can avoid the journey.

The choice we are faced with is this – which destination are you journeying toward?

Eternal life in heaven? or eternal punishment in hell?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

I hope that if anything, this post has given you something to think & pray about & challenges you to look at your life here on earth differently, the way scripture tells us to look at our lives here on earth- Click HERE to read Worldy vs Wordly.

We must get in the right heart & mindset because difficult roads lie ahead.

Are you ready to navigate them?

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

John 11:25-26