Wednesday May 24, 2023

Today is Wednesday, May 24 and we are exploring what the Bible says about spiritual pilgrimage.

Each day I begin a pilgrim journey in the company of the Lord my God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I quiet my restless thoughts, center myself in his love and prepare to walk in his presence.

Pause and Pray

Father God, give me a glimpse of your holiness and righteousness. Lord Jesus, reveal the futile inadequacies of the world around me. Holy Spirit, guide me upward on the road toward maturity and grant me grace to travel the well-worn path. Amen.

In the morning I praise God with the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29

Pause and Pray

The author of the letter to the Hebrews identifies a common problem many Christians encounter – discouragement. The word discourage literally means to “lose heart.” On the Christian journey, pilgrims occasionally become discouraged. Every believer sometimes encounters setbacks, endures suffering, faces challenges, carries burdens, and concedes to worry and fear. Christians might decidedly pursue holiness yet frustratingly find themselves backsliding and returning to sin. At times, pilgrims might feel like “giving up” on the Christian walk. Alongside spiritual sprinters and faithful finishers we seem like slow stragglers. Our faith legs are lethargic, we struggle to run, our unused muscles are atrophied, weak and weary. The author of Hebrews speaks.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

The pilgrim journey requires perseverance. The scriptures tell me how to run this race of faith. First, I lay aside whatever weighs me down – negativity, fear, worry, sin, doubt, or defeat. I throw off whatever hinders and entangles. I put aside bad habits. I renounce sin. I cast off burdens. Like a good athlete, I shed any additional weight. Second, I look to Jesus – I focus on him. Jesus has already blazed the trail and forged the path. He is the lead runner and reveals where to go and how to run. I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Third, I listen for the crowd. I am not alone. I am surrounded by encouragement. The body of Christ is cheering me on.

Ask: What am I focused on instead of Jesus? Who are my cheerleaders in the faith?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I fix the eyes of my soul on you. Reveal the sin in me that threatens to trip me up. Expose everything that hinders me and prevents my progress. Grant me the perseverance to continue the journey and the determination to finish the race. Strengthen me when I am weary and encourage me when I am about to lose heart. I read the words from Hebrews again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Like any athlete, sometimes pilgrims need a pep talk. As I ruminate on this passage from Hebrews, I consider who is my cloud of witnesses. Who are the people in my life who provide encouragement for my Christian walk? Who are the people God has given me to encourage in their Christian walk? Have I done so? I consider the things in my life that are weighing me down, preventing my progress, or hindering my advancement. Perhaps God wants me to disentangle myself and remove something from my life. Maybe God wants me to shift my focus. Perhaps God wants to provide the strength, help and joy I need on this pilgrim journey.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, show me how to run. Be my trainer, coach and guide. Open my ears to hear the cheering of the crowd. The saints who have gone before me and my friends in the faith are spurring on my progress. Open my eyes to fix my gaze on you. Do not permit me to misstep to the right or the left, but carefully follow your lead. Encourage me to persevere – rounding the turns and climbing the paths that lead to holiness. Amen.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

I leave this time of prayer uplifted by the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. I go to encourage others in the name of Jesus.

Amen