To Be Silent Keeps Us Pilgrims

I am reminded of that verse in Genesis 12: 9 where it says that Abram journeyed on by stages towards the Negeb. Life is a journey of stages, of chapters with each day holding a surprise. It is a surprise that we 3 will shortly be embarking on a journey that will take us out of our comfort zone – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. A chapter of 30 something days in our journey of life – each walking a different journey, but now walking together.

We will set out expecting surprises as they come to us, may we see them, hear them, feel them. May we not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise; a conversation with a fellow pilgrim, a fantastic view, a grace moment, a blister, an early morning sunrise, pain, cold water. Surprises open our hearts to a deeper relationship with God, family and friends.

We will be moving in un-chartered territory for us as we will leave the familiar safe places of work, home and country to move out into the unexpected. We will give up control of our thoughts to allow God to move and breathe in and through us. We will give up control of our daily schedule as we together find the right rhythm for each day. We will give up the comforts of transport to walk where many feet have gone before us in their journey of life.

Henri Nouwen in the Way of the Heart writes that “‘To be on pilgrimage is to be silent’ which expresses the conviction of the Desert Fathers that silence is the best anticipation of the future world.” Long meetings, long sermons, lots of words, long prayers – they often prove fruitless. Words often do not change people or things. The saying that ‘silence is golden’ is closer to the truth than we may want to admit. May this pilgrimage be a time of silence to hear what we need to hear and to understand its meaning. Nouwen also said that “To be silent keeps us pilgrims”, pilgrims on a journey with God as our pillar of cloud and fire.

Abram journeyed on by stages pitching his tent where God wanted him to stop. God has called us to stop and to refocus as we follow Him, and this is our next chapter. This time away from ‘home’ may be pivotal in different ways for each of us. May we enjoy the light that God will shine before us and be surprised by it. Thank you fellow pilgrims – for your prayers and love, Gabe