{"id":3821,"date":"2017-08-15T09:57:22","date_gmt":"2017-08-15T13:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davidcprice.com\/?p=3821"},"modified":"2018-11-08T21:21:06","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T02:21:06","slug":"a-sad-but-hope-filled-pilgrim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/davidcprice.com\/a-sad-but-hope-filled-pilgrim\/","title":{"rendered":"A Sad but Hope-filled Pilgrim"},"content":{"rendered":"
I have been reflecting on the weight of what is going on in our world of late. \u00a0It is<\/em> weighty, isn’t it? \u00a0I suppose that’s why the expression of feeling “burdened” is appropriate during these times of reflection. \u00a0That’s definitely what I’ve been…burdened.<\/p>\n It’s so hard to turn on the news and see the level of hatred that so many people have towards each other. \u00a0A picture of America, that “shining city on a hill”, in all of her ugliness and brokenness. \u00a0That shouldn’t be interpreted through a lens of anti-patriotism. \u00a0I truly love the country of my birth and am so thankful that I was raised under a flag of freedom. \u00a0I think that’s what makes me so sad to see her condition.<\/p>\n I think if we have ever bought into the truly absurd idea that our hope or salvation comes through a nation, we should see why that can never be. \u00a0It is our freedom that, taken for granted, too often leads to our lawlessness. \u00a0We feel like we are free to do anything to anyone and say anything we please. \u00a0Yes, those freedoms are protected (in theory, at least), but it is the abuse of freedom that strips strips them away so that all suffer.<\/p>\n Looking more broadly, though, what it should do is point point out the fact that it is our sinfulness that enslaves us. \u00a0It screams out that salvation must be outside of ourselves…truly, outside of this broken world, regardless of the soil upon which we stand.<\/p>\n We see the ugliness of our souls through hatred, racism, greed, self-righteousness, and pride. \u00a0We realize that we are living in a world that cannot deliver. \u00a0Even as a Christ-follower, it’s hard for me to take it all in and not feel the pain; not to feel discouragement.<\/p>\n It’s in these times of desperation that I have to pull back and remember what is true. \u00a0I remember that I am redeemed. \u00a0I remember that I am loved. \u00a0I remember that there is hope. \u00a0I remember that I am not of this world and that my citizenship belongs elsewhere.<\/p>\n Then, I remember that there is that same hope, love and future for all who call on the name of the Lord. \u00a0I remember that the only hope for this broken world is Jesus…and I pray. \u00a0I pray for a world that is lost in its own sin, held captive by Darkness. \u00a0I pray for me, that I can live according to my real<\/em> citizenship, loving the unlovely (like myself), showing compassion for the sinner (like myself), and communicating the truth that we are all in need of a Savior (like myself)…and that in Jesus, there is hope for the broken (like me).<\/p>\n This…this is what keeps me going. \u00a0This is what (or Who) speaks into my soul and says, “Remember, you are MINE<\/em>, and all is well.” \u00a0I have to remember that God has this; that He is my Good Shepherd who knows my name<\/em> and He loves<\/em> me!<\/p>\n He is never surprised, never caught off guard, and never overwhelmed, regardless of what is going on in this crazy world. \u00a0As I heard someone ask recently, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” \u00a0That<\/em> is my King. My Father<\/em>. My Hope. \u00a0My Savior<\/em>.<\/p>\n I am so grateful that My Father and Lord is King of the Kingdom of which I am a part! \u00a0I was reading a poem called “The Pilgrim, by John Bunyan this morning that encouraged me. \u00a0Maybe it will you, as well.<\/p>\n Who would true valor see<\/p>\n Let him come hither!<\/p>\n Once here will constant be,<\/p>\n Come wind, come weather:<\/p>\n There’s no discouragement<\/p>\n Shall make him once relent<\/p>\n His first avow’d intent<\/p>\n To be a Pilgrim.<\/p>\n Whoso beset him round<\/p>\n With dismal stories,<\/p>\n Do but themselves confound;<\/p>\n His strength the more is.<\/p>\n No lion can him fright;<\/p>\n He’ll with a giant fight;<\/p>\n But he will have a right<\/p>\n To be a Pilgrim.<\/p>\n Hobglobin, nor foul fiend,<\/p>\n Can daunt his spirit;<\/p>\n He knows he at the end<\/p>\n Shall life inherit–<\/p>\n Then, fancies, fly away;<\/p>\n He’ll not fear what men say;<\/p>\n He’ll labour, night and day,<\/p>\n To be a Pilgrim.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Soli Deo Gloria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n