The Journey

For through Him we both have access by one  

Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye 

are no more strangers and foreigners,

but fellow citizens with with the saints, 

and of the household of God; and are

 built upon the foundation of the apostles 

and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being

 the chief corner stone; in whom all the

 building fitly framed together groweth unto 

an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also 

are builded together for an habitation of God

 through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:18-22 

     Life is a journey, one that can be full of joy and happiness, and at the same time have sadness, loss. This statement seems to contradict one another but it does not for our lives have both and at times one is dominate over the other. Sometimes it seems as though joy and happiness will not come to an end and at times it seems as sadness, and loss will not come to an end. How we handle both emotions tells much about a person' character. Character that is being formed by the means of Authentic Christian Faith has a certain merit inasmuch as Authentic Christians know, (if they do not, they should) that they are pilgrims, strangers: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul:" (1Peter 2:11). This fact that Authentic Christians are strangers, strangers to this world and its culture, a pilgrim, one that travels a long distance, to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion, we can handle whatever emotion comes into our lives, whether they be good or bad. A stranger is one that is not associated or has not a person acquaintance with that that is outside what it means to be an Authentic Christian. Authentic Christians, then, are to be both a stranger to this world and a pilgrim on their way to heaven, a sacred place prepared for all of God's children. Authentic Christians are not stoic, not an ascetic person, not one that runs away from this life into some monastery secluded from the everyday things of life, no, Authentic Christians can enjoy along their journey whatever pleasures comes along the way as long as he/she enjoys with moderation. Authentic Christians are thankful for that which is good, those good and sunny days, but are not diverted from their journey when storms come. 

     Have you traveled much? I have, all over the United States, Mexico, Tahiti, and often have found unexpected things to occur and knowing that travel can bring unexpected things I prepare for the unexpected, as much as I can. Remembering that this is a journey, not the destination, even when things along this way bring the unexpected trials, we should not desire to return to that which we left behind due to those trials: "And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11:15-16). God has prepared for you a heavenly city, a New Jerusalem, and this is the destination, the end of your present journey. 

     Delays, obstructions, temptations, and distractions all are part of this journey. Satan, our enemy knows that these things can cause us to loose our way, cause us to take the wide road and not the narrow road: " Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). We must maintain our focus and our direction, to stay on the right track and to be and to be prepared is to take time to a "check-up" and take stock. At times we may feel that we are making good time and progress and other times this is not so true, we feel that we are getting nowhere. The passions of life that we experience should not distract us, but our passion for Jesus Christ and this will keep us on the right path.

     This pilgrimage that we are on may seem at times impossible, even unimaginable, but not for an Authentic Christian. Authentic Christians see this challenge, this adventure, this ultimate adventure making this journey worthwhile. This is life! Keep your eyes on the prize and this life will be a life that brings you more than you could ever expect for God is with you, blessing you in ways that you do not even know that He is doing, and the greatest blessing that you will receive is: ever lasting, eternal life.

LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle"

     Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh

    righteousness, and speaketh the truth

in his heart.

                    Psalm 15:1-2

Welcome aboard: the journey has begun

Richard L. Crumb