The Next Epic Journey

Yesterday we reflected on the concept of pilgrimage. Which makes me think about the various journeys we take across a lifetime. Pilgrimages of faith, and growth, of raising children and changing jobs. Some of these journeys are physical, some mental or spiritual… some all three.

Sometimes, we think about calling as simply a vocation, which in one sense can be. But over the course of a lifetime, there are many callings, many journeys, many pilgrimages on which to embark – some of which we choose, and some of which almost seem to choose us.

I know some of you have undergone epic journeys in your lifetime – journeys of faith, of immigration to a new country, or of freedom from addiction. There have been journeys to faraway places, and journeys to the depths of your own soul.

And I imagine some of you may even be wondering how many more journeys do I have left… Does God have something yet for me?

I think about a man I knew who retired from a career with the military in his early 50s. He then went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. He became quite a well-known painter. In his 70s he was commissioned to paint some larger murals in the city in which he lived. When I knew him, he was in his eighties, attending our weekly Sunday night Spanish Speaking Bible Study, seeking not only to grow in his faith but also to fine-tune his newly acquired Spanish language skills. So inspiring! You’re never too old to grow, he would say.

The book of Hebrews (chapter 11) tells us, By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called. Remember, he was in his 80’s when he and Sara first left home. And he set out, not knowing exactly where he was going — only that God was nudging him, prompting him, calling him.

All of this raises the question: what epic journey, what pilgrimage is God leading you to next?

May your hearts and minds ever be open.

Let us pray as we prayed yesterday: We thank you O God, for your calling on our lives. Grant us dreams and longings that are in harmony with your dreams and longings for us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.