Pilgrimage?
If you’ve visited my blog previously, you may recall that I treasure my nature walks. I feel closer to my Lord when traversing hills and valleys during my three-mile walk through God’s amazing creation.
But I’ve never been on what could be described as an official pilgrimage.
In 2014, I was completing a degree in religion while working full time as a teacher and an administrator in the health science program at Lenoir-Rhyne University. One of my courses, taught by a young, dynamic professor, focused on the study of the major religions of the world, their history, beliefs, and their faith in action. One of the assignments in the class was an experiment designed to help students experience what a pilgrimage might be like.
I don’t remember all the options that we could choose from, but I will never forget what I did. I selected the task of crawling across campus on my hands and knees.
Luke Edwards, a young, enthusiastic pastor and Associate Director of Church Development for the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church writes:
For millennia, Christians have gone for long walks in search of spiritual transformation. Since the fourth century, pilgrims have traveled routes like the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome, the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain, and various routes ending in Jerusalem. Pilgrimage is the original through-hike. There’s an expectation that on the other end of a 2,000 mile walk you will be a different person, that along the way you will discover something of significance about the world and about yourself.”
Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions, pp. 20-21
My crawl across campus certainly doesn’t compare with a 2,000 mile trek. But it was quite a memorable experience. Some things I recall:
- Initially, I was embarrassed by the stares from students and faculty.
- But I was also touched by those who stopped and asked, “Are you okay?“
- During one of my three stops to rest, a member of campus security sat on the ground beside me to ask, “What are you doing?” and listened politely as I explained. He seemed a little skeptical about my journey being a pilgrimage.
- My senses where heightened (not just because of my sore hands and knees). The rustling of leaves on a sunny fall day; the smell of the earth; the texture of the grass, gravel and concrete; a gentle breeze caressing my cheek–things I didn’t notice on a typical walk across campus.
- As I crawled to the steps of the library (my destination), I sat with closed eyes and felt God’s presence and His creation surround me.
- For that moment, there was just God and me. I felt safe with Him.
He is BIG and I am small…yet…He loves me.
I think a pilgrimage can be a 2,000 mile journey, but it can also be a crawl across campus or a walk in nature. A pilgrimage can be where we go to find both ourselves and God as we grow in our relationship with Him.
Where do you go to strengthen your relationship with our Father? Where is your place to seek spiritual transformation? Where can you be still and know God?
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
The LORD watches over you–the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8)
Luke S. Edwards. Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions. (2021). Fresh Expressions: Richmond, VA.
How introspective Ms. Katherine. Your words caused me to pause my day and consider many things. Thank you! I wonder, is our journey in faith, our life of sanctification (albeit incomplete until the end of the age) a pilgrimage of sorts my friend?
If you had asked me that question years ago, J.D., I would have said, “No, I don’t think our daily journey is a pilgrimage.” But that would have been because I would have been using the traditional definition of pilgrimage as an intentional, planned long journey, specifically with the goal of making a “pilgrimage” to find a closer relationship with God. Now that I’m older and hopefully a little wiser, my response is “YES!” Those of us who try to travel in the pathway guided by our Lord and Savior, I believe, are on a daily pilgrimage as we try, in all ways, to seek God’s will for us, to know Him as He wants to be known to us, in us, and all around us; while at the same time, we seek to know ourselves as God’s children and behave as such. Thank you for adding your insight and helping me look at this with “new” eyes and thoughts. Wishing you and your sweet bride blessings and good health, my friend.
Very interesting challenge or pilgrimage. I am somewhat curious as to what the other options were.
I should go back and try to find my class notes, Ben, and see what those other options were. I’m curious, too. Thank you for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed.
Wow, Katherine, that cross campus crawl was a creative pilgrimage, indeed. I ‘m with you on finding solace and peace on my walks in nature, whether in my neighborhood, the mountains, or on beaches. And I definitely agree with J.D. that our lifetime journey with the Lord is a pilgrimage!
Yes, Kathy, I’m so glad J.D. shared his insight on our lifetime pilgrimage. I hope you and I will have some beautiful fall weather to enjoy some time with nature before winter descends. Happy Fall!
No matter what our pilgrimage is, it is designed to get us to focus on God. Your trek into nature drew your eyes to the creator of all things from whom all blessings flow.
You get right to the point, Barbara! Every aspect of our walk with our Father should be with the goal of drawing closer to Him. Wherever we are, I pray we can deepen our relationship with our Lord and Savior. May God bless you and keep you safe.
Our life is a pilgrimage with each step designed to draw us closer to Him. Maybe that is why as we get older, we notice how much closer to seeing Him we are. This week as I crawl around on my knees with my granddaughter, I will be thinking of you, these words and lovely thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Joanne. I’ll be crawling around on my hands and knees with grandchildren this week, too. Isn’t being a grandma a wonderful joy and blessing? Having this opportunity to be with our sweet grandchildren is part of our pilgrimage. Wishing you much joy in your role as grandparent and praying for blessings for you and your family.
I have always wanted to go on a pilgrimage. Thank you for helping me to think about other ways to deepen my relationship with God.
I’ve always wanted to go on a “real” pilgrimage, but since I’ve been thinking about this a lot during the week, I think a pilgrimage is something we can create, without even going very far from home. You are right–the goal is to deepen our relationship with God. Wishing you blessings on that journey, Jennifer.
How intriguing and what a wonderful assignment. I feel closest to God in nature too, whether it’s in the woods or on the seashore.
Thanks for teaching me more about a pilgrimage.
I don’t have an opportunity to visit the seashore as often as I would like, but I’m with you on the joy and spiritual renewal I receive when I am there. The vastness of the ocean, the power of the waves, the ocean breeze, and the almost always beautiful weather create close communion with our Father. I hope you have plenty of opportunities to have those “close to God” moments.
I love these insights. A crawl across campus? And I love the reactions you got–especially people asking if you were okay. We learn about ourselves when we do strange things–and when we see others doing them. Good for you, Katherine!
Thank you, Nancy. You are right–we learn about ourselves and others when we do strange things. I’m reminded that Jesus did some strange things during His time on earth that teach us some important lessons–he consorted with undesirables (tax collectors, the woman at the well, those with diseases) to show His disciples (and us) that all people have value. He showed His love for others by His actions. His example is our best role model.
I love that you took a pilgrimage across campus on your hands and knees. I can only imagine how humbling the experience was. Thankful that God shared His presence and peace with you on the journey. Our lives are pilgrimages as we travel towards our eternal destination. So happy that I know my home is heaven. Blessings
Yes, the crawl across campus was very humbling and unforgettable. Two important characteristics of a pilgrimage, I think. I agree, our lives are a pilgrimage and what a treasure awaits us at the end of our earthly journey! Eternity with our Savior. May God bless you, Joanna.
I often sit on my back patio swing to be alone with God. Well, not totally alone. My dog usually curls up next to me. My favorite place is a pond, lake, river, etc. There’s something about water that draws me nearer to God’s peace.
I agree, LuAnn, there is something special about being near water, whether a bubbling stream, a peaceful lake, or the powerful ocean. In all of nature we see our Father’s amazing creation and find peace in His abiding love.