Can I be really honest? I've been really disappointed in humanity lately. The bandwagons people jump on about things they know very little about. Poor choices without little or no remorse- choices with consequences that wound community. TRUE injustices and world crises that are ignored by media. Friends I once shared life with are spiritually apathetic, completely unfazed. Mediocrity, relativity, passivity.
It's worried me that I've been so disappointed. Am I just cynical? Am I judgmental?
This is what I've realized: my disappointment comes from a deep sadness. Sadness that we have forgotten our pilgrimage. We have simply accepted what is, this temporary tent of a home, this shadow of what is to come. We've accepted it and stopped longing for more. We've let go of the promise of eternity handed down to us from our forefathers, shrugging it off because it's something reason doesn't readily keep in our short-sighted view. So we keep our heads down, trudging onward with heavy baggage, fickle feelings as the captain. And this temporary land that will pass away keeps shocking us. But why?
Maybe we're tired of waiting for fulfillment of that promise of eternity? Maybe it just seems too far-fetched? Maybe this earthly tent is just too comfortable?
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. ~C.S. Lewis
What if we embraced life as a holy pilgrimage, a journey with a destination of glory? What if we accepted that
1. The journey will be hard, we will ache as we wait and anticipate.
2. We are promised the presence of our Savior. He will provide joy, sustenance, and peace along the way.
3. This journey will be misunderstood. To blend into our surroundings would be to discredit the Almighty One, like insisting on making mud pies when offered a holiday at the sea.
4. Instant gratification feels good now but neglects the soul. A pilgrim knows that longings are not met instantly. His eyes are fixed on the permanent, heavenly dwelling ahead and waits in quiet trust.
As a pilgrim I have something that others don't.
I have hope of what is to come. Hope that doesn't come from the president we vote into office, the laws legislators pass, or the state of our nation. Hope that's an anchor for my soul (Hebrews 6:19)
I have an unconventional, misunderstood life. It's going to look different. As easy as it would be to build my life around the cultural norms and opinions of others, I align my decisions with a different standard. The standard set by the Creator who transforms my mind and heart (Romans 12:2)
I have a guarantee. There's little in this life that you can bank on, but I bank on this truth. While I live in a makeshift tent, longing and groaning for my Lord's return, I never have to question His promise. The Spirit, His gift to me, instructs my heart to wait in full confidence.
(2 Corinthians 5)
May we remember our pilgrimage, linking arms with our fellow travelers. May our eyes be fixed on future glory. May we long deeply for more than this world can offer and remember that it will at last be met in Jesus Christ.
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