Tag Archives: Paul

Pilgrims in Process

19 Jan

Are You a Tourist or a Pilgrim?

3 Rules for a Meaningful Journey

Your life is a process, either as a tourist vacantly gaping at attractions, or wandering bewildered through a foreign grocery store; or, as a determined pilgrim living with intentionality. Life is not a simple path from A to B. It is a winding, rocky ascent through fog and friction—a path defined not by the miles covered, but by the fortitude forged in the climb. To be a “Pilgrim in Process”—one genuinely committed to this path—requires more than forward movement; it demands an intentional internal posture.

In 2 Timothy 2:3-7 Paul admonishes his protege: “3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, just as I do; 4 and as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 5 Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. 6 Work hard like a farmer who gets paid well if he raises a large crop.7 Think over these three illustrations, and may the Lord help you to understand how they apply to you.” (Living Bible)

Let’s look at the metaphor of the soldier in this blog. (Paul gives us three distinct pictures of the pilgrim life: the Soldier, the Athlete, and the Farmer. While we will dive deep into the Athlete’s integrity and the Farmer’s patience in my next two posts, today we begin with the foundation: the resilience of the Soldier.”)

1. Embrace the Soldier’s Suffering

Pilgrim/Soldiers make the choice: discipline over the siren song of comfort. In a culture that worships ease, and equates happiness with wealth and power, a pilgrim understands that growth only happens at the edge of our capacity. We are not tourists on this path, ready to retreat at the first sign of trouble. We are, as the source notes remind us, “soldiers in a spiritual sense,” committed to the mission no matter the terrain. “This means accepting that a fixation on comfort acts as a barrier to progress—it encourages a slow slide into complacency and leaves our character fragile when the terrain inevitably turns rough.”

This willingness to ‘suffer’ through the rigors of discipline is not a call for self-punishment; it is the fundamental price of admission for achieving your destiny. And therefore it is not burdensome, but joyful. But this resilience is the engine, not the compass. It must be paired with a singular focus, which brings us to the second rule.

2. Stay Intentionally Unentangled

The second rule is to carry only what is essential for the journey. A tourist collects souvenirs; a pilgrim sheds weight. A pilgrim’s progress is immediately halted by the gravity of unnecessary burdens. Getting ‘entangled’ in the world’s distractions—the petty dramas, the fleeting pursuits, or even the ‘lawful’ but non-essential activities—will anchor you in place.

Progress requires doing things the “lawful way”—not just in a legal sense, but with a profound integrity and a disciplined focus that honors the mission. This is the art of strategic renunciation. By letting go of what doesn’t serve the journey, you gain the freedom and momentum to move with purpose. This singular focus clears the path, but a clear path is useless without a map.

3. Understand Your Place in the Ranks

The third rule is to recognize and respect the structure of the journey. Tourists wander where they please; pilgrims understand their part in the caravan. A true pilgrim is not like a sheep wandering aimlessly but is part of a larger body with a defined order. This means acknowledging the role of the “man of authority”—the leaders, mentors, or the “Undershepherd” who provides guidance—and even answering to a higher calling that serves as an internal compass.

“Stop measuring your life by the ease of the terrain or the miles you’ve logged. Measure it by the resolve you’ve built and the community you’ve kept. The fog will lift and the rocks will give way, but the fortitude you forge in the climb is yours forever. Keep walking. You are a Pilgrim in Process, and the path is exactly where you are meant to be.”

This is not a call for blind obedience, but for strategic alignment and teachability. Humility isn’t a weakness; it’s a strategic tool for accelerated learning. It allows you to absorb wisdom from those ahead, preventing costly errors and positioning you to contribute and, eventually, to lead. One must first know how to follow before one can ever hope to guide others.

Conclusion: The True Meaning of Destiny

“At the end of the day, we have to realize that these three postures—the Soldier, the Athlete, and the Farmer—aren’t just a checklist to complete. They are a trinity of principles that create the rhythm of the walk itself.

The Soldier’s Hardness is like your steady breath; it’s the grit to keep your feet moving when the trail gets steep and the air gets thin. Intentional Unentanglement is the lightness of your pack; it’s the constant work of making sure you aren’t carrying ‘stones’ from the world that only serve to slow you down. And finally, understanding your Place in the Ranks is your compass. It’s the humble recognition that you are following a path blazed by those who went before you, ensuring that all your disciplined, focused energy is actually leading you in the right direction.

When these three things click, the ‘process’ stops being a burden and starts being the way we find our destiny.”

They are the internal architecture required to see the journey through to its end. The goal is not aimless wandering but focused accomplishment. We are here to discern our purpose and then do the work to finish it.

To know God’s will. To accomplish it — that is destiny and only that.

What is one thing you can do today to shift from being a tourist to a pilgrim on your own journey?

Coming Next in the Series:”

  • Part 2: The Athlete’s Integrity — Why the ‘Process’ matters more than the ‘Podium’.
  • Part 3: The Farmer’s Patience — How to work when you can’t see the harvest yet.

Make sure to subscribe to the blog and my YouTube channel so you don’t miss the next leg of the journey.

See my channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOReIq0xjlIM79DrT0oQ-A

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Who’s Calling?

21 Oct

Roaming in Romans

The promise is “peace that transcends  understanding.”

That alone should set the alarm bells ringing loudly.

And what must I invest for this priceless gift?

Nothing! Nothing?

What’s the catch?

Conclusion: An imposter is scamming me!

My inner voice is screaming: “Check the credentials!”

Paul’s Credentials 

I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts. (Romans 1:1 The Message)

He is a slave 

Four things are pertinent concerning a slave:

  • Absolute obedience constrains him. 

Slaves do not punch time clocks or have off hours. They cannot resign or choose their assignments. They cannot argue about their assignments. Paul’s words were spoken in obedience and not concocted in the laboratory of his own mind. (Galatians 1:11-2:10)

  • A great love binds him. 

In the Hebrew scheme, slaves were to be released after 7 years. Slaves could elect to remain in the ownership of their masters when the time came for their release. This indicated they were happy in the household, they loved their master. A slave who elected this option would have his ear pierced by pinning it to the door post with an awl. This was a sign that symbolized his ear was open to hear his master and he was fixed to the household. Paul opted to remain in the service of the greatest King for the rest of his life.

  • A great office honored him.  

He is not just any slave – he is a slave of Jesus Christ. Far from being embarrassed, there is immense pride by the addition of the words “of Jesus Christ”. Slaves no doubt boasted of the great houses they served in. “You belong to who? I belong to Caesar!” While the world may pity his slavery, he is honored to serve such a great King.

  • A humble attitude envelops him. 

He always defers to the King. He does not put on airs or seek to promote self. He dies daily with great cheerfulness. This relationship alone brings significance to life and all else is relatively trivial. He lives humbly and happily as a slave of Jesus Christ.

He is called to be an apostle – A Plenipotentiary

A slave is the lowest denominator in society. Slaves do not generally generate a lot of excitement. As menials they can be ignored as safely as little sisters. An Apostle, on the other hand, is a specially chosen and authorized envoy, of the same order as an ambassador. These officers are known as “plenipotentiaries”. They are empowered (potent) in all areas (pleni). His call to the office is exceptional. Intently bent on stamping out Christ and his followers, God interrupted his agenda in a most dramatic way. (Acts 9:1-18) His message was imparted to him directly. (Gal 2:12) 

He is set apart for the gospel

Paul is of the order of a Test Pilot, a breed apart and set apart for a specific function. They are unique in their capabilities and have honed their skills through rigorous and arduous discipline. God called Paul from his mother’s womb, uniquely equipping him from conception, overseeing his development, so setting him apart for this exceptional calling.

His credentials are impeccable and are backed by the authority of God himself. 

They minimize the man, exalt the office and authenticate his message. We may fully expect to enjoy all the benefits of the spectacular promise. We will see that the message itself also has authenticating credentials, which will make a sure thing made more certain. 

Reflections

Slavery requires application in four areas of life. Assess yourself in each category, with 10 being perfect and 1 being pathetic. Ask someone close to you to honestly assess you in the same way. Confess your sin and then determine specific ways to bring about improvement. Ask your honest assessor to hold you accountable. Do this not as a duty, but as an exercise in demonstration of your love for God. In other words, be relaxed, concentrate on the friendship and enjoy his encouragement.

How should the idea of being Christ’s ambassador  (2 Corinthians 5:20) impact you today? 

You too have a calling. You too are uniquely conceived and your life has been an equipping for service. Let this astonishing fact elevate your life this day. “For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Would you describe yourself as a person who knows this “peace that transcends understanding?” Recent data shows that unclaimed lottery winnings have averaged between $40 million and $50 million annually.

Unclaimed! 

Peace is like a winning lottery ticket. All you have to do is cash it in. How? Remember who God is, then pray: “Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of peace. You are in charge now.” Every time you feel disturbed, focus on God’s greatness and repeat the prayer. Initially it may mean praying it once every ten minutes! Gradually the truth will take hold and the peace will become pervasive.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Promised Peace: Scam Or For Real?

14 Oct

ROAMING IN ROMANS

Existential Angst

My three year old grandson was experiencing the acrimonious separation of his mother and father. His mother took him to visit some friends. He asked the host this staggering question: “Who do you belong to?” The host looked astonished and laughingly responded: “That is a very theological question.” The three year old was terribly earnest and followed up with another zinger: “Do you belong here?”

This three year old was caught up in the turmoil of family strife, he was disorientated and the pain of his restless heart came out in those two existential questions. At the tumultuous heart of every being lies the agony of those two questions: “Who do you belong to?” “Do you belong here?” When the gospel extends peace to us, it is setting our hearts at rest concerning those two fundamental existential issues. God is wrapping His arms around us to say: “You belong to me.” “You are at home in my Presence.” 

The Apostle Paul starts his letter to the Romans with this gigantic phrase:  “Grace and Peace to you.” Those two concepts address the existential questions troubling every heart.

Grace

Readers of Romans are not goaded to find peace, as if it were at the end of some obstacle course as a prize or reward for accomplishments. Peace is imparted as a gift. And that is the meaning of grace. Grace gives what we cannot earn. Our response to grace is often downright disbelief. We cannot fathom how we can possibly be given such a spectacular present. It is too good to be true. So we ask, correctly, “Is this a hoax?” 

“Mow the lawn,” says a younger sister. “Who says?” is the belligerent retort. Should I act on the information or can I simply ignore it? “Dad says!” brings an immediate obedience. “I say!” would bring a sneering jeer of contempt. 

“Grace and Peace to you.” “Who says?” 

The Apostle says, and he has provided ample evidence that he has been commissioned by God to be His direct spokesman, therefore God says. 

Peace

Distill every desire in your heart, and the residue will be peace. We crave it for our world, our neighborhood, our families and our hearts.

How will we achieve peace, this universally intense desire? 

Two solutions come to mind:

The first is daunting. 

Work for it. Organize and invest and strive and labor. Understand the system of rewards and punishments and work hard to enjoy peace as a reward. The trouble is that many things are beyond my control. Life requires co-operation and some that I need may be dancing to different music. Others are inept and keep treading on my toes. Circumstances often dictate nasty twists of destiny, and inner turmoil is generated by emotions that I cannot always control. Peace is an eel with a soaped skin. Just when I think I have a grip on it, it slithers out of my grasp.

The second is delightful. 

Peace is a gift. Peace is not at the mercy of emotions, other people or circumstances. It is not an onward search, promoted by self-effort. It is the result of a relationship with God, the gift of his friendship. Security and satisfaction are nowhere else to be found.  It cannot be engineered. So the promise of Christ is different to popular conceptions. “Peace I give unto you … not as the world gives,” he says. He promises it and also provides it. It is there for the taking. How do you accept a gift of friendship? With gratitude you accept the invitation to walk and talk together.

Notice once more how Paul phrases the concept. He does not exhort us to obtain peace. It is an impartation of grace and not an incitement. He can only do that because peace is the gift that grace bestows. Life with all its sin and strain is in constant interplay with grace that leads to peace. Without the stress and pain there could be no appreciation of the grace of peace. The greater the stress, the more we lean on him and the deeper our friendship becomes.

Reflections

In what areas of your life are you struggling with the enjoyment of peace?

How have you sought to find peace in the past? How successful have you been?

When offered a gift that is non-tangible, how do you go about accepting it?

Does the offer constitute the enjoyment of the gift, or is there some responsibility for the recipient to exercise?

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,