The Christian Pilgrimage

Paul Elie once said: 'A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of a story. A great event has happened; the pilgrim hears the report and goes in search of the evidence, aspiring to be an eyewitness. The pilgrim seeks not only to confirm the experience of others first hand but to be changed by the experience.'

Two things came to my mind as I read that quote.

It reminded me of the gold rush. Hearing the stories of men who travelled from far overseas in search of gold. They had heard that gold had been discovered around Ballarat and Bendigo, and they set off in search of the evidence, to be changed in the form of wealth. Amazingly many docked in South Australia and travelled by foot to the gold fields, in search of participating in this great, potentially life-changing event.

And it also I think nicely sums up my Christianity. The story - the great story - of God Himself coming to Earth in the form of a man. Then a most miraculous event - the resurrection. Jesus, Son of God, alive and living by His Spirit.

I've heard the report, I want to see for myself. I'm always in search of the evidence. I want to confirm the experience that others have had with this risen Christ, and I want to be changed by that experience too. I want to enjoy all the riches of Christ Jesus.

But the Christian Journey is not a one-off event, like a visit to Mecca. It is a life-long journey, exploring the mysteries and the depth of God, experiencing God in new and different ways, following in the footsteps of Jesus all the way to eternal life.

A pilgrimage. A life-long one, walked often on narrow paths, at times alone, at times through wilderness, at other times beside green pastures and peaceful waters. On mountain tops, and through valleys.

A pilgrimage possible through grace.

A pilgrimage towards love personified.

Come with me...

www.salvationarmy.org.au/mornington

There is a time to be born and a time to die.

There is a time to cry and a time to laugh.

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.

These words from the Bible remind us of the different seasons of life, and how life is a journey of different experiences.

One of the privileges of being a Christian Minister is the opportunity to conduct funeral services, and to journey with people in their time of grief, a time or season that we all must face at times during our lives.

For some the passing of a relative or loved one is a blessing, as it brings an end to a lengthy period of pain & suffering. Yet on some occasions death is a shock. The person we know and love is gone in an instant.

For each of us there’s a time to die, but we don’t know when. It’s one of those seasons of life that we can’t control.

And usually when someone goes suddenly, there remains so much unsaid. And we look back and our perspectives change. The little things, the annoyances or the grievances, become so unimportant. And we realise yet again the message of Jesus - that in this world, by far the most important thing is not power, or wealth, or status, or possessions – it is love.

In this grand epic story of life, we need to learn to love those that share this scene with us, even those who frustrate or annoy or hurt us. We need to learn to forgive and dispense grace. And we need to let those we love know that we love them, as often as we can.

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day where love is expressed. Restaurants will be full, florists overwhelmed, chocolates devoured. Love is in the air, kisses everywhere.

What a shame we only focus on love one day a year.

‘Cause it’s always a time to love, It’s always the season to love. God, help us to love. And help us to be expressive with that love – not just in a romantic way, but with all those in our lives.

It’s always the season to love.

www.salvationarmy.org.au/mornington

The Near Miss

Can you look back on your life and pick out moments that changed your life forever? Not events – my wedding changed my life, positively, of course, but moments? One minute life is heading in one direction, and all of a sudden, in a split-second, everything is changed.

Sometimes it can be a catastrophic moment; other times the moment might have appeared as mundane but later proved to be monumental.

Take a moment to think….

There can also be moments in our lives that had the potential to be life-altering, but passed without incident.

When my son Cody was 5, in his first year of Primary School, I was walking him home from school. Through a couple of quiet, leafy, suburban streets, then a wander along a path across a large expanse of grassed parkland, before we came to a major road – a single lane road, median strip, 4 lane road, median strip, single lane road and then onto the footpath for the short stroll home.

It was a clear, sunny day, and he was sharing with me all the highlights of his day. We strolled through the park, and approached the road and made our way to the pedestrian crossing. We crossed the single lane and waited at the designated spot to cross the 4 lane road once the traffic lights had turned red.

For some reason, Cody looked right, and seeing no cars coming, took off across the road at a gallop. But he hadn’t looked left. If he had, he would have seen 2 lanes of cars driving at 60 kph straight at him.

I could see them.

I yelled “stop”. Tyres screeched as panicked drivers slammed on the brakes.

For once, Cody did as he was told. He stopped. Turned, and ran back to where I waited.

His life was spared my mere centimetres.

One moment I was enjoying the company of my much-loved son. And in a flash, his life could have ended, and my life would have been turned upside down.

Had any of those narrow escapes?

We hear sayings like ‘live this day as if it’s your last’, but we don’t.

We hear sayings like ‘make the most of every moment’, but we don’t.

The Bible says that one moment we will be living life as normal, next moment the Son of Man will come. That eternity is always potentially only a moment away.

Each of us is always only a split-second away from a life altering, or life ending moment.

Make sure you’re right with God.

(And yeah – live today as if it’s your last etc etc)