I am on a pilgrimage.

A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about themselves or the world.

Are you on a pilgrimage, too? Those of us who have put our faith in Jesus are making our way from our birthplace here on earth to our heavenly home.

In Genesis 47, Jacob (Israel) met Pharaoh and blessed him.  When Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, Jacob replied, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty.  My years have been few and difficult and they do not equal the pilgrimage of my fathers.”  verse 9.

We think 130 years on earth is a very long time but people lived much longer time at this point in history.

I don’t want to live here 130 years.  There is too much pain and suffering and evil here.  I am on this Journey Towards the Truth until my time on earth is done.  As a Christ-follower, I am called to devote every day of my pilgrimage here on earth to completing my God-given purpose.  I am called to grow deeper each week in my relationship with God.  I am called to let God change me to be more and more like Christ every year.

Almost 8 years ago, I had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Israel.  It was a very different, and yet familiar, place.

I had heard and read so much about what had happened in Jerusalem that I experienced an odd sense of deja vu as we pushed through its crowded streets.

Tears rolled down my face as we made our way down the Via Delarosa – the Way of Suffering – where my Savior dragged his cross that day so long ago.  In my mind, I could hear the shouting and the curses of thousands of years ago bouncing off the stone walls on either side of me.

And, then…..

the overwhelming peace and stillness of the garden.

It was done.

The price was paid.

And Jesus was no longer there.  He had risen, just as he said!

Amen!  Hallelujah!

The years of our pilgrimage here on earth are not easy…..

but we know where this journey ends.

At home.

Full of joy.

Surrounded by peace.

With our Father.

Thank you, Abba.