WE’RE ALL PILGRIMS
It is a well-established truth that this earth is not our ultimate dwelling place; the Bible speaks of life beyond this realm (Hebrews 9:27, John 11:25). Consequently, every individual who has journeyed or is journeying through this earthly existence is akin to a pilgrim.
For the purpose of this month’s Pastoral Charge, we shall define a pilgrim as a traveler on a significant journey, often towards a sacred destination imbued with deep spiritual meaning, such as eternity.
To facilitate a meaningful pilgrimage experience, individuals must constantly maintain an awareness of the brevity of this earthly sojourn. This consciousness should inform their conduct, guiding them away from excessive lifestyles. The words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 8:20 serve as a further reminder of the importance of maintaining this awareness.
AND MUST TRAVEL LIGHT
As pilgrims on this earthly journey, the call to ‘travel light’ is paramount. Jesus Himself instructed his disciples to take little resources with them when they travel for evangelism (Luke 9:3). But what does it really mean to ‘travel light’ ?
No doubt preparation is inherent to any journey, requiring making provisions for essential supplies for sustenance. But, ‘traveling light’ signifies discerning those true necessities from excess baggage. It means carrying no more than what is absolutely essential for our pilgrimage experience (Luke 3:11).
Therefore, let us be vigilant against the allure of excessive material wealth, remembering the profound truth that nothing of this world accompanies us beyond the grave (1 Timothy 6:7). It is therefore important to leave behind legacies that will outlive us on this earthly realm.
INVEST IN ETERNITY
Since we have now established that it is impossible to take any of our material possessions with us when we die, how then do we ensure that our investments on earth are worthwhile?
Again, Jesus Christ provides a clear answer to this in Matthew 6:19-20 (NLT) thus: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. But store your treasures in heaven…”
Beloved, are you engrossed in the tussle for materialism, power, and relevance at the expense of the essentials of life — justice, mercy, and faith ?
Today, we have an invitation to be guided by Jesus’ profound words in Matthew 6:21. Beloved, as we journey through this life, let us continually examine our hearts and ask ourselves: “where truly lies my treasure?“
