A friend and I once did an eight-day hike from Lindisfarne Island to Durham in north England. We went to learn about the godly men and women who had brought Christianity to the region—people like Aidan, Cuthbert, and Bede. I also took the pilgrimage because I was searching for direction.
Our goal was to arrive at Durham Cathedral in time for the Sunday afternoon service. Six miles out, we nearly gave up. Our backs ached and our feet were covered in blisters. But we managed to limp into the service twenty minutes late—just in time to hear the bishop speak.
“Some of you have been on pilgrimage this week,” he said. “Some of you have made the long trek from Lindisfarne Island to be here. Some of you have been learning about Saints Aiden, Cuthbert, and Bede.”
It felt like someone knew we were coming! Actually, we had stumbled into the cathedral’s one and only service dedicated to pilgrimage. If we’d come a week earlier, or twenty minutes later, we’d have missed it. It was a beautiful moment of serendipity.
Scripture is full of pilgrimages. Abram trekked to his God-given land (Genesis 12:1-9). The wise men searched for the newborn King (Matthew 2:1-12). Cleopas’ eyes were opened wide along the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-34). In each case, those who walked discovered that Someone else was guiding their journey. As Solomon put it, the Lord was directing their steps (Proverbs 16:9).
I learned something in the cathedral that day. While I’d been stressing about my life and where it was going, the God I’d given my life to knew exactly where it was heading (Proverbs 16:1,4). Through life’s hills and valleys, through its blisters and beauty, we can trust He’s leading us somewhere good.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 6:1-13
More:
Read Psalm 37:23-24 and Proverbs 20:24 for more encouragement of God’s providential guidance.
Next:
How are you seeking to walk with God today? (see Galatians 5:25). When life gets confusing, how can you remind yourself that God is still in control?
Gary Shultz on February 5, 2017 at 6:24 am
Hi Sheridan: As you have listed in the “More” section are two of my favorites (Psalm 37: 23-24). We are going somewhere; however, as these verses point out, one step at a time. And as you found some of the steps were less than delightful. In our steps, God wants to fill them with purpose, He wants it to be “Leading Somewhere Good”. The blisters were still there and back ache, as you were astounded with those words. I wish I could have seen your faces as that phrase was spoken. However, the aches and pains are now gone, but the reminder of God inserting Himself in your journey will long live, as we witness today. To me, as each step builds a path, each event seeing God’s word and work in our lives builds faith and trust in Him. If we really invest in knowing Him each step will take us closer to Him, as we get closer we see the need to give God complete control in each step. Thanks Sheridan
don777 on February 5, 2017 at 9:45 am
God will open & close doors, He gives & takes away. Drawing near to Him that He draws near to us. Keeping open heart, mind & hands to him, remembering & knowing who he is, The Father that Loves us so much, He gave His only Begotten Son Jesus. I can trust in what ever path He takes me down. Oh Lord I believe but help my unbelief.