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Of Strangers, Pilgrims, and Sojourners

On reflection it seems quite odd - how the very first phrase that I looked up in the concordance that my Mother had given to me, was about these 2 words – strangers and pilgrims
I heard the phrase soon after my “born again” experience, and it intrigued me
I explored the Bible pages, and a whole new concept slowly dawned and awakened within me

As Christians, we are not to settle down nor be counted as permanent citizens on this planet.

Sure, we all give a mental assent to that fact that our mortal life will one day end, and which we all acknowledge.. But that’s about the extent of it – an acknowledgment – and we then proceed to live our life as though we will keep on living on this earth for ever.
Accidents and misfortunes always seem to happen to those around us, and merely shake us up for a while, but not to unduly upset our prevailing attitude
We spend our lives accumulating goods, even though we inwardly know that “moth and rust will corrupt, and thieves break through and steal”
There is a compulsion to seek comfort, to dodge inconvenience, to avoid sacrifice, to establish an empire, to beget a dynasty even, to live day by day as though we will carry on here for ever.

So, this new concept took some thinking about – it was quite revolutionary and a jolt to a budding young Architect, seeking to establish a career in creating structures of as permanent materials as possible.

A “stranger” -- well my fellow students sure thought it strange when their buddy got “religion” (as they called it)
Strange in not joining in all the madcap pursuits and pleasures of this so called civilised society, of going along with the antics of those you once called friends
Of being somewhat “detached” -- of being “in the world, but not of it”
Of being “alien” to the selfish pursuit of pleasure, selfishness, and self-indulgence
Of “marching to the call” of an unseen trumpeter
Of hearing the distant voice of an invisible coach
Of not riding roughshod over competitors, of joining the “dog eat dog” business practice
Of becoming strange to the cheating, lying, “mine if I can get away with it” attitude of former mates
Of being strange in not enjoying a fruity but dirty joke, of drinking yourself senseless “under the table”
Strangely different – of knowing when to stop, and how to say NO to the tempter

A “pilgrim” -- dictionary – a journey, a trip, a voyage, by a traveler
The whole essence of the meaning seems that of “passing through” - of not being able to settle down, of not being able to take up “permanent residence”, but instead being able to arise at a moments notice and continue on to another area. Virtually to live with your bags packed and ready to move on.

The concept quite stunned me – and forced a review of my chosen career of constructing buildings of as permanent materials and design as possible

A “sojourner” -- dictionary – sojourn -- a stopover, a temporary stay, a visit, to tarry for a while

My mind went back to consider Jesus the Son of God come to earth - having been raised in a house with his father Joseph a carpenter, he must have learned the same carpentry skills, yet he never went on to construct a single solitary religious building, Indeed, his world view was expressed as “my Kingdom is not of this world”
His words were all about “the Kingdom of Heaven” come to earth
He laboured as one who had but a short time to fulfill his mission – 3 short years in actual fact
No earthly shrine did he construct, no Church building to be revered, idolized and maintained

And Paul, though his trade was that of a tentmaker – yet he never started his own tent making business, he never tried to franchise his craft, or establish a Tent industry to keep his brethren employed !

And so a tug of war started within me, which continues to some variable degree to this very day -- I had to earn a living, to provide for my wife and family that God definitely brought into being, while seeking to follow the inward call of the Master

And then, another verse was quickened to me - Matthew 6 : 33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all these things shall be added unto you
It burnt into my very fibre, and added to the mental tug of war that was being waged within
Where was the balance of life and my energies to be found, what was to be my focus and goal, what were to become my priorities ?
The answer was all too clear and apparent
I glanced sideways at the Christian Church, and the big denominations, - at their building programes, from lavish Cathedrals to local assembly halls, their property portfolios, their budgets, their self appointed titles, robes, and all the ritualistic trappings and fanfare to try to convey the message of the lowly itinerant Nazarene son of a carpenter

How have they missed it all, where did the notion of being a pilgrim, of being a stranger in the earth, of being on a sojourn, a stopover, get pushed to one side or submerged ?

I recall being told that the second best selling book (after the Bible) on this planet, of a past era, was called “Pilgrims Progress” by John Bunyan, and it strongly and powerfully conveyed this concept and message to his generation.

How could they fall for settling down in the one spot, of empire building ( but for the Lord supposedly) of constructing worldly monuments while supposedly following the voice of the Shepherd, I mused.

How did the religious world get so sidetracked ? -- how did the erection of temporal buildings and the establishment of denominations override the Masters clear message and example.

Perhaps it all really started to decline with Constantine in 323 AD, – who undoubtedly thought that he was doing Christians and the world a big favour by building so many Churches, when in all probability he derailed the simple lifestyle of the early Christians by getting them to focus on buildings, (and their costly maintenance) and the numbers game of counting congregation size, and budgets, and programmes, and performances, and frequent attendances. and dressing up in the Sunday best in case he looked in !

My mind turned to the classic Chapter on Faith - Hebrews 11

Abraham seemed to get the concept ………

v.9 By faith Abraham …. sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country ..…
v.10 For he looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker (architect and builder) is God

Moses also had the idea …..

v.24 By faith Moses, when he as come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward, v.27 By faith he forsook Egypt

And the other patriarchs and heroes of faith likewise …..

v.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. v.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek such a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city

The building work of Heaven has already been done !!
How was a budding earthly Architect to view this concept ?

13:14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come

Paul summed it up nicely . ….

Phillipians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ

We are repeatedly warned not to become entrenched in the worlds system of acquiring possessions, of relying on programmes, on establishing a religious haven down here

Whatever “things” we possess are to be held lightly, not clung to, nor allowed to be dominated by.

We are to be wary of established and settled denominations and assemblies, no matter how charismatic or appealing they may appear.

Jesus - an itinerant preacher / healer, with no permanent residence or place “to lay his head”, erecting no edifice, having only 12 close followers, leaving no visible evidence of his having been on earth, and yet our history is divided by his life - our calendar dates from his birth, with millions of lives affected by his touch, words and influence.
And he’s coming back !! He promised to return !! Maybe soon !!

Lord – keep me as a stranger in the world, as a pilgrim and a traveler through, following only your personal leading, until my short sojourn here is over.

Amen, and Amen