Pilgrims

 In Featured, Pastor Paul's Blog

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: Pilgrims as in… pilgrims on the Compostela aren’t looking for something. They’re being found.

Our dear friend Patty is currently traveling on the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, the Apostle. The commonly agreed-upon route for “the Camino” begins in southwest France. It continues 500 miles through four of Spain’s 15 regions, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain. The journey takes travelers over the Pyrenees Mountains, past vineyards, and through lush eucalyptus forests. UNESCO declared the trail a World Heritage Site, and the European Union named the Camino its first European Cultural Route in 1987.

The routes are many and varied. There are routes for foodies, serious hikers, and people who want to travel with large groups and for others who want to experience the journey alone. There are routes for photographers, families, first-timers, beach lovers, and history buffs. For many, there is something deeply spiritual in this pilgrimage. Patty has reminded us that people don’t “hike” the Compostela. They are pilgrims. They’re not looking for something; they’re being found. In a recent note from Patty, she wrote, “Pilgrims are not wanderers. They have a destination that holds the promise of spiritual refreshment.”

Some people wonder, “How does a person do this?” Other people ask, “Why?” The answer to the “Why?” question is more complex than the question of “How?” The “How” can be answered this way: One step at a time. One mile at a time. One conversation at a time. One day at a time. The cumulative effect of all of those “One-at-a-times” creates the journey.

Let me ask you some questions.

What journey are you on today? Where is that journey taking you? What are you looking for? Who are you longing to become? What are you hoping to learn? What would being found mean to you?

We’re all pilgrims. And in ways we don’t always fully understand, we’re becoming our truest selves on the journey. It’s easy to get lost looking for something. But being found along the way is the greatest gift.

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.

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