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| Used from www.middlebury.edu |
A journey involves the act of travelling
from one place to another (Merriam Webster). This means that there is a beginning
and an end, but also, the aspect of traveling itself. For those who are travel
junkies, you have certain objectives when you travel for instance immersing
into a new culture, capturing the photographic landscapes or maybe making new
friends. It is a common reality as well for unexpected occurrences to come
along in the journey. So is the journey of faith.
For the Christian, he or she
finds himself at the starting point rather unexpectedly (an act of grace).
Going through her journey, she may sometimes be awed by the signposts that are
only distractions from the golden signpost of her journey. There are challenges
and disappointments that seek to impede her progress. She comes to see that
some who she trusts are not on the same journey yet there are others who give
her counsel for they have treaded the same journey. She comes to realize that
she is the main character in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress, making her
way to the home that’s really home.
I have been going through a
few weeks of doubt. By God’s mercy and grace, I have continued to receive
encouragement and insight from God’s word by his Spirit. The world, the flesh
and Satan (1 John 1:15-17) are real contenders for unbelief, apathy and anger.
Yet, the Spirit brings forth God’s word in timely season for the current
circumstance we find ourselves in our journey.
So is my word that goes out
from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I
desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Is. 55:11).
Like the muscles that are
toned and strengthened in physical training for the one who takes the journey,
and like the experiential wisdom that is gleaned as one handles in a discerning
way different seasons in the journey, so is the Spirit’s work in our life – He continues
to conform us to Christ (the second and better Adam) and to use us as vessels
of blessings to others. Fellow pilgrim, remember:
- God has planned your journey.
- The challenges that come serve two purposes
a. To
restore your dependence on God (Is. 55:1, 6).
b. To
prune you – God desires to give us his gifts in joy. He desires that we use his
gifts to bless others. In short, challenges serve to expand us to serve God and
others with greater capacity (Jas. 1:2-4, 2 Pet. 1:5-9).
iii.
3. You will reach the end of your journey (Phil. 1:6, 2 Pet. 1:10-11).
The result
of hungering for God as a central objective for the pilgrim is a life of joy
and peace. So in closing, in what season of your journey are you going through?
What promise has God revealed to you in light of a challenge in your life? Are
you willing to surrender your past hurts to God?
I hope
that the Spirit of God (2 Tim. 1:6-7) may reveal afresh to you God’s unmerited
love to you who calls on his name; that you walk in the authority of a child of
God and that you increase in your discernment of your journey and respond with
spiritual insight in the way that the Father leads you. He will surely do it!
I like it that the Journey is planned and we will reach our destination!Great assurance. That trials,tempatioms,distractions,doubt s etc name just come to ensure we draw on the power of God to do greater works as we journey on. Blessinhs brother. The hymn ,'Courage brother', comes to mind to crown the blessings of the article.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. That's a good hymn that reminds us where to fix our eyes. We will reach our destination.
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