Light For The Pilgrimage

Posted by Elaine Marie Cooper

We recently visited the Pacific Northwest and, while on an outing with my son and his wife, discovered a lighthouse.

I never cease to be amazed at not only the beauty of these buildings but at the reason for their existence: protecting nearby ships from crashing onto the shore.

The very presence of lighthouses signifies safety where there is potential for harm. Without that light, someone’s life could be in danger.

Our lives are dangerous journeys at times with the potential for harm. But God provides His light to guide the way on our path.

When reading Psalm 84:5 last week, a word jumped out at me as often happens. A new appreciation for a scripture that I may have read dozens of times before. The word that grabbed my attention was “pilgrimage.”

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” (NIV)

Whenever I see that word, I think of the John Bunyon allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress. While I confess I have never made my way through the entire Old English text, I understand the significance of the character called “Christian”—a man on a journey meeting up with numerous challenges as he makes his way through life. Some paths are fraught with danger, some with temptation, some roads lead to greater revelation of God’s grace.

It’s a journey that we all take, some longer than others, some more hazardous than others. But all with the same Light of God’s love present, to keep us away from the rocks of destruction.

A comfort, indeed, to know that our Lighthouse is always there.

“I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:101-105 NIV)

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