Y’all, I am so not a blogger. I marco polo with my high school friends who are now scattered around the U.S. and literally I ramble on for 5 minutes and don’t really have a cohesive idea. Also blogs are supposed to have topics right? Like each post is supposed to be centered on an idea, what if I don’t know how to do that?
But I’ve found myself so many times in the past 10 days or so since starting this, writing and rewriting different posts in my head. Or finding inspiration in the smallest places. It really is so encouraging, when God calls you to something he equips you with all the necessary tools. Doesn’t mean this still won’t be rambley, but practice makes perfect right?
I’ve started to read through Kingdom Journeys by Seth Barnes and it’s got me thinking about the idea of pilgrimage. The wikipedia version of a pilgrimage is a journey, often to unknown places, where a person goes in search of new meaning in one’s self, nature, or higher power. Before beginning this read, I didn’t really think of this as a pilgrimage. It’s a mission’s trip, but I don’t think of myself as a missionary. If I’m really honest, I haven’t thought about all the things I’m giving up to leave, but all of the wonderful experiences, relationships, and connections to people and God that I’ll be gaining.
That’s definitely one thing that has stood out to me, people talking about what a sacrifice this is. To give up my modern comforts, to give up a year of pay, to give up my easy, convenient life. But really y’all I’m gaining more than I can even imagine. In this next year or more, I’m gaining PURPOSE. This is my pilgrimage, my journey into what God’s purpose is for me on this Earth through loving and serving His people.
SO….what if you’re not quitting your job, selling all your stuff and leaving the country for 11 months?
A pilgrimage is so much more than a journey in a far off land. What is God calling you to in your life right now? There are so many opportunities to serve and love your local community. Maybe your journey is really about how your spending your time and God wants to take you on a journey through re-prioritizing to fill a need He sees. Maybe your journey is about how you’re spending your money and the ways you can be a better steward of your finances for His Kingdom. Maybe God has been stirring in your heart a tangible way to serve by partnering and starting your own organization.
Start the journey, take the first step. Often this is the most terrifying part, especially when you don’t know where your feet are going to land, but God always provides a place for your steps to land. He is in control. He’s just waiting for the step to be taken.
