| Giving thanks during this upcoming month is our traditional focus; and it’s pretty much assumed that we will all experience the visual of that perfect Thanksgiving meal that includes that golden, juicy roasted turkey, stuffing, apple pie and all the trimmings! I can even smell those familiar aromas escaping from our kitchen. Every year we see television commercials depicting perfect family gatherings. After all, Thanksgiving is a time to focus on family, food and (most importantly to many) football. However, I really think we need to go back in history to understand all the pilgrims that have come before us and how we got to this point. Did you know that we are still pilgrims on our own journey today? The definition of pilgrim is simply “a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.” You may automatically think of the pilgrims that endured dangerous conditions, perilous seas, smothered together in unhealthy living conditions, all to gain religious freedom in America. But you and I are pilgrims in the sense that our journey continues every day to our “sacred place” – heaven. Over the next four weeks, instead of planning and doing the same thing, with the same results, during this Thanksgiving season, let’s be more aware of the journey we are on and contemplate what we are walking towards. Do your daily steps take you towards your sacred place or away? When we are thanking God for our blessings, are they focused on earthly desires or God’s desires? We may not be travelling across raging waters to keep our religious freedom, but we do need to keep focused on our ultimate goal. And just like many of our Thanksgiving celebrations are not always that picture perfect encounter, the journey we walk as pilgrims isn’t easy. Many times, we wonder if we should turn back or give up. It’s only by faith that will keep us focused on Jesus’ plan to keep us moving forward – walking together as Pilgrims – and helping each other be more thankful and understanding that each of our journeys is different but destined. Pilgrims, join me this journey over these next four weeks, searching and moving toward our sacred place. |
“Christians are therefore encouraged to see themselves as pilgrims and strangers on the earth, temporary residents whose true home is in heaven.”
From God's Lips 
Donna,
I love the insight you give on pilgrims and our pilgrimage. I never have thought of either in the way you have explained them. Something to definitely consider and work on.
Bless you!🙏❤️
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