10. Pilgrimage to Paradise: Be Who You Are

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"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion." (Psalm 84:5-7)

The story broke earlier this week on national television. Veterans in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, would be denied the traditional prayer normally included in their Remembrance Day ceremonies. The school board felt that the absence of the prayer would make the ceremony more inclusive. Veterans were devastated. The decision was eventually reversed and called a "misunderstanding". (https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/cape-breton-school-reverses-decision-to-ban-veterans-prayer-1.4665405)

My initial thought at hearing the news report was this: "Funny, when other groups in the community celebrate their traditions no one would ever think of demanding that they cut out some part of that tradition in order to be more 'inclusive'".

It was a fleeting moment in the daily news cycle for most of us, but a reminder that we, as Christians, don't belong. We are pilgrims. Our journey takes us through this increasingly barren valley. But while this is not our final destination, the place upon which our eyes are focused, and the place that our hearts yearn for, we do have a calling to leave behind us those "springs" and "pools" of living water that can make the difference between heaven and hell for those who have yet to believe.

Peter, in writing to the pilgrims scattered throughout the world of his day, says this: "As you come to him, the living stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4, 5).

He then goes on to describe this precious "stone" rejected by some but embraced by others, a stone that will cause "people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall" as they reject Him. But One in whom these pilgrims can trust wholeheartedly.

Then Peter picks up his instruction to the pilgrims to whom he writes: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9, 10)

In today's society people are encouraged to "be who they are"—except, of course, if you are a follower of Jesus. But Peter's message is that who we are is what we must boldly declare because of the mercy God has showered upon us.

Priests speak truth.

The holy act accordingly.

Those once in darkness shine the light for those still stumbling around because they cannot see.

We are to leave behind us springs and pools in the barrenness of our society. Some who come close may not like the favour of the water, but there are others out there desperately searching for something to slake their thirst that truly satisfies.

Be who you are and leave a little water of life behind you.