Believers, we are on a pilgrimage.
How are you doing my faithful readers? I have a gift for you at the end of the read, thank you so much for reading.
Hebrews 11:13 NKJV These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and PILGRIMS on the earth.
A Yoruba proverb resonates deeply: 'Ajo ole dabi ile' - no matter how long we wander, home remains unparalleled. This wisdom struck me anew upon learning of Baba Gbenro's passing, a renowned figure from Mount Zion's Abbatoir movie. Although I never watched the series, the outpouring of tributes touched my heart. His impactful legacy endures, reminding us that the memory of the righteous is indeed blessed.
Fellow believers, as we journey through life, remember that our stay here is temporary. Though we’ve made memories and built lives, our true home awaits. Philippians 3:20 reminds us: our citizenship lies in heaven. Let’s eagerly anticipate our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will welcome us to our eternal destination.
Let’s know this truth, this world is merely a temporary stop on our eternal journey. Wealth, fame, and earthly accomplishments are fleeting, but our heavenly inheritance awaits. Take heart from the patriarchs of faith, who lived with eyes fixed on eternity. Abraham, despite his riches, chose humble tents over grand structures, declaring his trust in a better place (Hebrews 11:9-10). His legacy, echoed by Isaac and Jacob, reminds us that we’re strangers in this world, citizens of heaven, Our true home is the city with divine foundations that God, the Architect, has prepared it for us.
The patriarchs' lives serve as a powerful reminder that we are pilgrims on earth, called to live with purpose and detachment. Hebrews 11:13-16 reveals their unwavering faith, as they: Lived as strangers, forsaking earthly attachments, Longed for a heavenly homeland, Saw earthly life as temporary.
Abraham’s journey exemplifies this eternal focus. God instructed him to leave comfort behind (Genesis 12:1). He lived in tents, acknowledging life’s transience (Hebrews 11:9-10). His heart fixed on the heavenly city, crafted by God (Hebrews 11:10, 13-16).
Even Jacob, when meeting Pharaoh, declared: "My years have been a pilgrimage" (Genesis 47:8-9). He recognized this world as a temporary stop, not the final destination.
When we face loss, we mourn, but not without hope. Our faith anchors us to eternity, reminding us that: Earthly life is brief, Heavenly life is eternal, God has prepared a city for us.
Beloved Pilgrim, what should you carry in your heart as you walk this path of faith?
1. Purging as a Pilgrim.
As pilgrims, we must continually purify our lives, forsaking worldly desires that hinder our spiritual journey. I again repeat, this is not a call to ascetism or of religious cult group that forbids marriage because of Christ coming but this is just to make sure earthly things aren’t Idols to us.
The Apostles advices in 1 Peter 2:11 (NKJV): "Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." and in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15: "The love of Christ compels us...to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again."
How do we purge ourselves?
.Recognize fleshly lusts as soul-threatening enemies.
.Yield to the transformative power of Christ’s love.
.Surrender self-centered living, embracing a life dedicated to Him.
.Allow God’s love to constrain and motivate your choices.
Hebrews 11:24-27 reveals Moses' remarkable decision to purge himself:
- He relinquished Egypt’s princely status.
- Chose to suffer with God’s people.
- Valued eternal riches over fleeting earthly wealth.
Moses' example inspires us to:
- Prioritize spiritual inheritance over worldly prestige
- Surrender self-interest for God’s purposes
- Fix our eyes on eternal rewards
- Let go of worldly allurements
- Embrace the call to suffer with Christ
- Live for eternal glory, not temporary gain
2. Purpose as a Pilgrim.
As a pilgrim on earth, it’s essential to prioritize your eternal mission over earthly attachments. This doesn’t mean adopting an ascetic lifestyle or isolating yourself from the world. Instead, recognize that your time is limited and focus on fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
Identify your divine assignment and pursue it with urgency.
Use earthly resources as tools to achieve your heavenly goals.
Remember, this life is temporary; you’ll give account of your journey.
Emulate Apostle Paul’s purpose-driven mindset: 'To live is Christ, to die is gain' (Philippians 1:21).
Just as an envoy represents their nation abroad, you represent God’s kingdom on earth (2 Corinthians 5). Your stay here is temporary; focus on accomplishing your assigned mission. Make the most of your time, and prioritize your eternal legacy. As Apostle Paul confidently declared, 'I shall abide and continue with you...for your furtherance and joy of faith' (Philippians 1:25). This is a focused man.
3. Preparation as a Pilgrim.
As pilgrims on earth, it’s essential to prepare for the end of our journey. The patriarchs of faith—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—demonstrated how to live with eternity in sight. Their lives serve as examples, guiding us. Philippians 3:20-21 reminds us: "Our citizenship is in heaven." This truth transforms our perspective, helping us prioritize eternal values over temporal concerns.
We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will:
- Return to earth
- Transform our mortal bodies to be like His glorious body
- Bring us to our eternal home.
To check back on all that have been said:
- We should live with intentionality and purpose
- We should be investing in eternal relationships and endeavors
- We should remain focused on spiritual growth and maturity
- We should embrace trials and challenges as opportunities for growth
- We should keep an eternal perspective in daily lives.
Finally as pilgrims, let’s remember that being with the Lord is our ultimate delight. While we journey on earth, let’s stay focused, fulfilling God’s will with purpose. Soon, we’ll be united with Him forever. Don’t forget, believers: our time here is temporary. Act like he’s coming tomorrow because we don’t know when we’ll die or when christ we come but we know either we’ll go to meet him or he’ll come to pick us up, here lies our joy.
For inspiration, consider John Bunyan's classic, 'The Pilgrim's Progress'. If you've read it, thumbs up! If not, I encourage you to read it or watch the adapted movie (available on YouTube).
Let's press on, living intentionally for God, anticipating our eternal reunion with him, oh! what a beautiful sight!
