Pilgrimage of life

Everyday, I see people going through the same routines, they tread (or drive) the same path, day in, day out. I include myself in this as I tread the same path, 5 days a week to take the kids to school. 

It can look quite impressive, a whole hoard of people making their way to the same destination. 

In the quest for something. (But what?) It reminds me of a pilgrimage. 

It has made me think, our lives are a journey, but to what end? 

What is the purpose of our life's pilgrimage? 

We are all going somewhere, we all have purpose, drive and passion which direct us, but where to? 

Are we blindly just strolling along, as I do, on autopilot on the school/work run? Not really paying attention to the route, just conscious of the target?

Or are you eagerly searching? Aware of your journey and destination? Sure of your purpose? 

A Pilgrimage is - A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.

A quest for illumination.

Are you just bumbling along, (like I do in the mornings) doing what needs to be done in order to get to where you want to go? Or are you aware that your life has a purpose? It has significance? Your journey is 'of exalted purpose'.

As I think about life, and this journey, I realise that we are all on a pilgrimage, but to what, or for what? 

What is your life about? 

What is the purpose of it? 

What is it, at the end of your life, that you want to achieve? 

Once you figure that out think about how you are going to get there. The journey is often as important as the destination. 

The Israelites had a 40 year journey in the desert. They knew their destination was 'the promised land', but they had to endure the journey first. Long and arduous your journey may seem, like the Israelites, but what is 'the promised land' you are travelling towards? 

The Israelites, God's people knew their end goal. 

Do you know yours? 

Leave me alone!

Do you ever want to be left alone, away from the pressures of life and people?

Well, it might surprise you to hear that Jesus felt the same. 

He often wanted to be alone and get away from people pressure. 

In John's gospel, I am reading that Jesus tried to go up mountains alone, he sent the disciples off in a boat so he could be alone. He often tried to sneak off to lonely places. Often though, people continued to follow Jesus, they didn't leave him be. He didn't get as much alone time as he would of liked it seems. 

Does that sound familiar? 

As great as it is to be in community and build relationships with people, (and that is vitally important as we were created to have relationships with one another), we also need some alone time. 

Why?

We often want to be alone to; get some peace, to evaluate a situation/feelings/relationship, to work through things, plan, do something we like, get some perspective, or just vent! 

Sometimes, we feel like we just need to be alone. That's ok, Jesus felt the same too!

He often withdrew, or wanted to! 

Why? 

As Jesus was fully man, I'm guessing that he probably struggled with some of the same stuff as we do. I'm sure he sometimes felt; frustrated, disappointed and lonely. The Bible even shows us that Jesus felt like he had to do what he didn't want to do! (in the garden of Gethsemane). Jesus wanted to escape sometimes too. 

So what did he do?

Luke 5:16 says, 'Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed'.

Jesus didn't keep his feelings all bottled up, he talked to his father about them, he vented his feelings, and sought a solution. Like us, he sometimes wanted a different solution to the one he was given. However, he got on with it. No matter the emotional and physical pain. 

To do what he had to do, Jesus must of found strength and perspective when he went to talk to God. 

Jesus task was hard, so hard, he realised he could not do it alone (and he's the son of God!). He also knew that calling on friends to help wouldn't be enough, so he went to the one who can create and change the world! Jesus knew where help, peace, endurance, strength and fulfilment can come from. 

If you're feeling like you want to be alone, that things pile up on you and you're overwhelmed, try it. Go to God, tell him about it. There's no secret formula to prayer, just talk. God will hear you. See if anything changes.

Christians smell!

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

'But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.'

"We are the aroma of Christ"

As christians we should smell of Christ, stand out, have a significant odour of Jesus. Smelling of God!

What does that mean? 

When someone wears; perfume, aftershave, or even steps in poop, you notice. 

The aroma stands out. 

We sense it, we recognise that it's not an everyday, commonplace aroma otherwise we'd not notice it. 

We all have associations with smells. A certain washing powder might remind you of someone, the whiff of mulled wine may remind you of Christmas. Even unpleasant smells like the smell of a public toilet have connotations. (It makes my nose crinkle just thinking about it!)

But I think this is what this passage is about. 

As christians, we smell! 

To some people it'll be a pleasant aroma, something attractive and compelling. To others it'll be like a public toilet, something they DO NOT want to be around! 

If we are christians, we should smell! 

We shouldn't be neutral or commonplace. 

We should stand out. 

So, what is the 'aroma of Christ?'

The passage says it's the, 'knowledge of him'. 

Of who? 

You guessed it -Jesus.

This speaks of knowledge, it's not just an idea, an opinion, a faint hope, it's KNOWLEDGE! 

To gain knowledge, you need to read up on the facts. You need to be informed and active. Acquiring knowledge requires motivation and work. We have to apply ourselves, study the word, spend time with Jesus,  that's how we gain knowledge. 

THEN we will smell. 

We will walk life with the fragrance of Christ hanging off of us and people will notice. 

We will not please everyone but we will be spreading the smell of God! 

The power of testimony

John 4:39 and v42

'Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony'

'They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”'

The woman in this passage gave, 'testimony' . First of all, what is testimony? It is - a formal declaration or statement of an event, evidence or proof of something. 

So, the woman declared what she had seen and heard of Jesus. She gave evidence to what she had heard. She told people what she had witnessed and heard from Jesus. 

The result?

The were intrigued. The people went to see for themselves. They heard His words, and realised that he is indeed, 'the Savior of the world.'

Jesus demonstrated who He is to this woman, she understood who He is, and saw how he knew her life. Then, she told others about him. She recognised who He was, because He knew her. 

There is power in testimony. 

If someone close to you tries out a new cleaning product and tells you how wonderful it is, you're probably more likely to try it out than by watching the most exciting new advert with a catchy jingle. 

Personal testimony is effective, and what this woman by the well, and what I am talking about, is much more effective than the worlds most powerful cleaning product! So, we better get talking about it!

It's not just about telling people the mind-boggling miracles that occur, but by sharing God's faithfulness in the everyday things. This lady from this passage, what did she really have to tell? She didn't see any mountains move, she wasn't healed of any disease or see any miraculous event at that time. She simply saw that Jesus knew her. Really, her testimony was pretty simple. She listened to Jesus and discovered that He knew her, He knew her life. 

Then she began to believe what he was saying about himself. 

This must of been the message she gave to others, not a mind blowing transformation or miraculous event, but the fact that she'd met Jesus, and He knew her. 

This is a message we all can bring to other people.

We can tell them the simple, seemingly small things that Jesus has done in our lives. That's what testimony is. We can share about how God has been there, shown us things, known us, and still wants to know us! We can let our friends know that we had peace in financial difficulty, we can share how our kids have overcome some things because Jesus has been their friend. How we have got the: house, family, job, education, friends, holiday we have. That we have become more: patient, loving, generous, kind because we pray. Don't underestimate the power of your testimony in the everyday matters. 

This lady shared that Jesus knew her. 

The people, were intrigued. They came to see what she was going on about, and they, for themselves, discovered who Jesus is. 

Her testimony was a part of her community's journey to faith. 

Your testimony is a part of someone else's journey in faith. 

Being surpassed?

John 3:28-30

‘'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.'

I love this section of scripture. It shows obedience to God, recognition of self-worth, purpose and humility all rolled into one!

John has joy, not in his own achievements or popularity, but in the fact that God's predetermined purpose is being fulfilled. 

He realises his place in proceedings and likens himself to the best man at a wedding. He has an important task to do, he helps prepare and ensures the wedding goes well. He is there to support the groom and ensure he has a good day that goes smoothly. If the event goes well, then his job is complete and he gets satisfaction in it. 

This is the same for John. 

John has, 'prepared the way of the Lord' (Isaiah 40:3 and Mark 1:3). He has preached that the messiah is coming, and is close at hand. He has called God's people to be washed clean of their wrongs through baptism. He has declared that Jesus is the one. He has been busy preparing for the arrival of the groom. Making sure things are in place and people are ready.

Now, John says, 'this joy of mine is now complete'. 

I think this is AMAZING! He doesn't get bitter or resentful that someone has surpassed him, in fact, he's happy about it! 

Is that how we respond in the world when someone else gets promoted, or has a better house, better kids, is more clever, being successful, generally better than us? 

John was secure in what his purpose was. He knew the job he had to do, and he did it well. He knew who he as, and who he wasn't ('I am not the Christ'). Sometimes when we are jealous of others, or resentful of what they have or have achieved it is because we are not secure in who we are. 

You do not need to measure yourself up against anyone else. 

You are not them, you can never be the same as anyone else because you are your own unique being and you are not created to be like any other person on this Earth. 

You have a purpose, it might not to be the top of your game, it could be to be; a great Dad, to show kindness to others, to help other people achieve, to pray, to prepare the way for someone else or a whole host of other things. 

Consider John, consider his words, his heart to carry on even though he's being overtaken, even though some of his followers are leaving to follow Jesus (- that was John's purpose anyway to promote not himself but Jesus!). He recognises that his ministry must lessen whilst Jesus ministry grows. 

When you have these times in your life, when you are being surpassed, how do you handle it? With cries of 'it's not fair' 'they've only been around 5minutes'? Or do you have a different response? 

John did. He was happy. In fact, he said, 'this joy of mine is now complete'. 

He wasn't just happy or content, he felt complete, he knew his purpose, he knew his capabilities and he was secure in it. He had self-worth. 

When you have that, it doesn't matter if people surpass you, have better things or greater achievements, you might not need those things. You are you, you have been created as you are to fulfil a job on this Earth only you can do. So, stop measuring yourself up to others, you'll never be the same. 

Enjoy the journey you are on. 

God so loved the world

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

These are probably some of the most infamous verses in the Bible. Loads of people have heard them at some time. 

Most people also hear that God isn't exactly pleased with the condition of the world, He's not happy with the way things are going. However, this isn't what these verses say. 

They say that, 'God so loved the world..' God doesn't just like the world, He 'so loved'. How much? 

So much that, 'he gave his only Son'. Now, I don't know about any of you parents out there, but would any of you give up one of your children for a bunch of people that are wreaking havoc and destroying something beautiful that you created? Probably not!

God did. 

God's son, Jesus, came among us, even became one of us to show how God loves us. Who better to show us than the only son - Loved for all eternity by his father? 

How did Jesus show us God's love then? 

Well, he didn't show us by telling us that we are all bad and deserve condemnation. We know that already! 

Jesus isn't about condemning people. 

He is about saving people.

God is about saving the world, not destroying it with condemnation - not leaving it, and us, in a mess, in a state of unforgiveness and guilt.

Jesus met and befriended many people you would not expect the Son of God to even look at! Instead of condemnation, he showed them respect and love. Jesus knows that we are aware of our faults, he doesn't need to point them out to us. Jesus did not come so that we could live with guilt and shame, He came to release us from it!

He waits for us to realise we are lost without him. Then, he shows us love. 

Jesus came to SAVE.

Jesus came to show us forgiveness, to accept us as we are, to know us, to see our hearts and our minds and love us anyway!

YES!

He loves you eventhough he knows everything about you! 

If you're feeling condemned then that's not God. You might feel guilty if you've done something you know you shouldn't of, but what are you going to do about it? 

Jesus is waiting. He's waiting for you to come to Him so that you can be saved. 

God loves you.

'God so loved the world..' 

Spirit living

John 3:8

'The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”'

We can see and hear the effects of the wind, but don't know the origin or purpose of it. The same with the Spirit, we don't, and cannot understand what it's doing or why, but we can see the effects. 

Those who are not born of the Spirit cannot fully understand those that are. The life led by the Spirit doesn't make sense to those born only of natural birth (not born again). 

Is this evident in your life?

As people of the Spirit, some of our choices will not make sense to those who haven't been born again. This is how it should be. If all of our decisions are made according to worldly standards, then are we even 'born of the Spirit'?

Ok, I'm not saying that we should make crazy decisions, it is good to make wise decisions, but if there's an opportunity where you feel stirred to do something, or even do nothing when the rest of the world would act differently, then go ahead. Obey the Spirit. Who knows what will happen? 

We have had opportunities where we have obeyed the Spirit. My husband and I at different times felt we should have a job change. This meant our wages would almost halve, and money was tight enough as it was! However, we felt led, we felt prompted to go for it. So we did. Some friends and family told us we were not being wise, in fact we were being foolish, we got asked, "who does that?" And got a few funny looks. 

We were faced with opposition, but if you're going to be led by the Spirit, you will be. 

You will also doubt yourself, you will doubt whether it really is the right thing to do, if it is really what God would want. 

I can tell you from our experience, that although our income reduced over the years, God has always provided. We have had miraculous gifts from people where we have had problems and the exact amount of money has been donated from anonymous sources, without us even speaking to anyone about our problems. Now that's miraculous! We have known peace and certainty when jobs have been lost when we didn't know how we'd pay the bills or buy food, now that's a miraculous work of the Spirit! 

I'll be honest, I'm not living in the fullness of a life with the Spirit, but I count on God. I've still not got it right. It is scary living by the Spirit, but it's worth it. I do get it wrong, I do make mistakes, I don't always do what I think God wants me to. Reading this though, I'm reminded afresh to trust in God, and to be bold. The world will tell us to be cautious and hold back. 

God says, "Go in the strength you have" (Judges 6:14). The thing about obeying the Spirit is, 'you do not know where it comes from or where it goes'. If you want to step out from predictability, and want an exciting journey, then join with the Spirit and see where it takes you!