Pilgrim

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts; which war against the soul.” - I Peter 2:11

Pilgrim, it has sort of a home-spun ring to it, don’t you think? You know—pumpkins, hot apple cider, Thanksgiving and the Mayflower. Though the word may help you conjure up cozy thoughts, it seems God has a different purpose when he planted it in Scripture. It is assigned to those who seek another country—who look for a city which hath foundations, whose builders and maker is God.

Dwell on this expression for any length of time and you will find that pilgrim will become a trusted companion. A bit of a nuisance, but nevertheless, a friend in time of need. Just when you settle down in the easy chair of the world system, this nosy noun climbs off the pages of Scripture and sings a few verses of “This World Is Not My Home.”

Here are seven pesky letters that won’t mind their own business. If you don’t believe me, just spend a little time in Hebrews chapter 11 where the great saints confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Now stroll through the mall and see if this two-syllable giant doesn’t tiptoe through your tulips. Unannounced and uninvited he appears on the horizon of your conscience, poised and ready to do his thing. CONVICT!! Nothing shy about old pilgrim. You can feel him breathing down your neck and eyeballing your every lustful look. As the world parades its goodies before you, pilgrim whispers sweet nothings in your ear, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Timothy 6:7). KILLJOY!!

You secretly wish you had never heard of this guy, much less be called one. You try desperately to dodge this professional party pooper, but it’s no use — he’s got the bases covered. You regroup and try to remain calm while planning your strategy. “How can I put a lid on pilgrim?” you ask. The world offers the answer—INDULGE!! is the cry echoing from the chambers of materialism. Certainly such distraction will put the muzzle on this merchant of holiness. But he is much too clever for that little ploy. Just as you focus on some must-have-it item, who should appear with script in hand, but pilgrim. “Do you really need it?” he inquires. “Can you afford it?” “Will it glorify God?” Don’t you just despise practicality at a time like this? You’re quick however with your own defenses, and your ability to rationalize peaks when conviction enters the scene. “But everyone else owns one; why can’t I?” “I’ll just close my eyes during the dirty part of the film.” “What’s wrong with a little worldly pleasure anyway?” Undaunted and not easily discouraged, pilgrim strikes back. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (I John 2:15). You’re down for the count. Mentally you’re beginning to hemorrhage and it’s time to call it quits.

You’re home now and a quick inventory of the day’s activities register victory. A smile begins to work its way across your face as you rehears the world-be disaster had pilgrim not held your hand. You didn’t fall for the temporal value system of the world. You didn’t make one of those unnecessary purchases that would have only been a future garage sale item. You didn’t get sucked into some worthless form of entertainment that leaves its mark etched upon your soul. You were, in fact, able to hang tough because of a loyal companion – Pilgrim.

Abraham was a pilgrim and since we are children of Abraham, guess what that makes us? Sure, it’s hard. It was hard for Abraham too. I suspect, however, he never strolled through the mall. That’s the way I see things.