“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage, as they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”  Psalm 84:5-7

So, for the past few weeks I have been on a pilgrimage.  Not the one I was anticipating, because as I write this, the El Camino adventure hasn’t even started yet. But, thanks be to God, I have taken a pilgrimage just by preparing for “the” journey.  

My first weeks of training had me humming along to worship music, trying out different shoes and focusing on what I wanted to include in my prayers. I had schedules outlines, bullet points, Venn diagrams, intended outcomes – once a teacher, always a teacher!.  God was going to get a very clear and organized “lesson” on what I was asking him for!

Then I listened to a FC podcast with a woman recounting her experience on El Camino.  At the outset her story was a nice reprieve from my prayer planning, and a good distraction while putting in additional miles. But, the more I listened, the more I heard – “thin space,” the blessing of silence, and to be sure you go in with “an ask.”  My first reaction to the last one was, check!  After all, I had a whole list of tasks – with outlines, diagrams and everything!!!. 

When she described her task as “receive.”  I was skeptical. It seemed way too broad, too vague, and how do you put “receive” into a pie chart?  THEN God spoke directly to my heart and my pilgrimage began. 

Let’s look at the beginning of our verse again:  “Blessed is he whose strength is in you, …”  I hadn’t been relying on God. I had been directing, planning, dictating. Directing? Dictating?! To God?!?!  

Then continuing, “who have set their hearts on pilgrimage,” It isn’t the finish line that brings the growth and connectedness to God – it’s the journey.  

“They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” The individual steps, turns, stops, bumps, breathtaking views – even what seems like getting ready. That’s IT!

Miles later, with a lot of scrapping of plans, I eventually found my ask: JOY – real Biblical joy!!  

For the women and children – for our family and friends – for our country and world – for our churches and congregations – for the saved and the unsaved – for the rich & the poor – for you & for me …Joy

• perpetual gladness of the heart that comes from knowing, experiencing and trusting Jesus.
• a good feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the World.

(I had to get some bullet points somewhere!)

 As you go from strength to strength, do not miss the leg of the journey that is right now, right where you are, and right as you are. As you find your strength in Him, set your heart on Him, trust Him, and have pure joy! 

Laura Bluhm