HOME
During my trips out to Southern California I have been staying at my father's vacant house. We moved
him into an assisted living residence about 2 years ago. His house sits empty except when I or my
siblings go there. It is a lovely house in a desirable area - charming, cozy, with a sea breeze and an ocean
view, in a quiet neighborhood. But it is not "home" to me. My parents moved there as I finished high
school. I was soon off to college. It was never where I "lived".
On the other hand, whenever I am traveling there is a place I miss, that I am eager to return to - home.
As soon as I enter the back door I am breathing easier. I am "home", the place where our life is based,
where I can be most myself.
When neighbors and guests come over we often say "make yourself at home", but they cannot fully do
that because my home is not their "home". It is not where they have lived, loved, struggled, laughed,
remodeled, gardened, been sick, raised children from newborns to adults, fixed leaks, and fed the dog.
Psalm 84 has been a constant meal for me the last several months. It is a psalm about the Lord Himself
being "home". Listen to the middle segment that most speaks to me,
Happy are those who are strong in The Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage (in their heart
are the highways) to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs,
where pools of blessing collect after the rains.
They will continue to grow stronger and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
They have set their mind on pilgrimage (or it can also mean "in their hearts are the highways"). Literally
it means 'the roads to God are carved into their hearts'. Like an animal with a built-in homing instinct
that knows how to return home and always heads that direction. That instinct does not happen by
chance. Rather it is formed the same way you and I learn any instinct - by practice.
Basketball was my sport growing up. I loved it, I worked at it. I played competitively. Most of my time
was spent in practice - conditioning, and repeating drills to form habits, and skills. The result of constant
repetition was - I played by instincts. And instinct was largely well-honed habits from endless repetition.
It became "second nature" for me to know what to do during a basketball game. The same is true with
any hobby or skill - learning a foreign language, or a musical instrument, or a new interest. At first
learning is painstakingly slow, everything is new to us. As we stick with it and keep practicing, over time,
it becomes easier, and eventually we can play that instrument, speak that new language, or do that skill
almost effortlessly. The same is true in our life in the Lord,
Happy are those who are strong in The Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage (in their heart
are the highways) to Jerusalem.
This verse speaks of a caravan of pilgrims. The spiritual life is not a solo voyage, but a group journey.
Don't travel alone. I never made progress when I was isolated and alone - I got lost and disoriented.
Who are your traveling partners in your pilgrimage to pursue God? For me they have been prayer
partners who became a deep friends as we travelled pilgrimage together. At other times it was a small
group of fellow spiritual travelers. One of my dear friends is now in his mid 70's. Whenever he is asked
what his favorite scripture is he answers, "Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 - trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your
path straight." He does more than quote that passage. He lives it daily. What a wonderful friend to have,
modeling for me how to keep setting my mind on pilgrimage daily.
When they walk through the valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs,
where pools of blessing collect after the rains.
This faith journey is not easy. God never promised that to us. Jesus' own earthly life was intensely
difficult. God's way is to take us through, not around difficulties. That is how faith muscles form. As I
sometimes remind myself "to get to it, you have to go through it". That is what "the valley of Weeping"
alludes to - hardship, uncertainty, difficulties, dryness in the desert seasons of our lives. Yet, for those
who press on in difficulties (set their minds on pilgrimage) something happens through the hard times they become places of refreshing springs...pools of rain collect in the dry places. God meets and
transforms in the midst of, as we press on in our difficulties.
They will continue to grow stronger and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
And He shapes and matures and deepens us. Did you see that? It says "they will continue to grow
stronger". Asking 'why God?' when we encounter difficulties is often a futile and unanswered question.
God may not have sent your difficulties, but He can use them for good outcomes. Let Him. Press on in
faith. Allow the Lord to bring gain from the pain. Keep your mind committed to pilgrimage of pursuing
and walking in God's direction. He will bring the change - not only in your circumstances, but in you.
Ultimately, and finally...it is worth pursuing God. "Each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem."
That is not a promise we will get everything on our earthly wish list. God is not a genie in a bottle to
grant us our 3 wishes. It is a promise that for those whose heart longs for God, and who make that their
life direction - that it will be worth it. In this life, and unendingly in the Lord's presence in heaven. Like
the old song reminds us "this world is not my home, I'm just a passin through. My treasures are laid up,
somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door and I just can't feel at
home in this world anymore."
Happy are those who are strong in The Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage (in their heart
are the highways) to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs,
where pools of blessing collect after the rains.
They will continue to grow stronger and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
A few questions for us pilgrims
1. What is in your heart, what is it you desire....is it more of God? is it short term wish fulfillment?
2. Is The Lord more and more becoming "home" for you?....what steps of pilgrimage are you taking
to deepen and act on that desire? are there any detours you have taken that you need to give
up and get back on the highway toward God?...or honestly have you turned in a different
direction – pursuing something else as ‘home’?
3. Who are your traveling companions who also are committed to a faith pilgrimage?
4. How might the Lord be strengthening your character and faith through difficulties?
Welcome home fellow traveler, the Lord has been waiting for you.
Pastor Paul