Our oldest son came home to Alaska for vacation. Blessed by the beautiful summer he enjoyed hiking, boating, backpacking, fishing, paddle boarding, swimming and running.
After days of activities he was determined to enjoy another challenge for his holiday. He was determined to run the Resurrection Trail in a single day. Years earlier our family backpacked this exhilarating adventure over four days, but to do 38 miles in one day — without support? What is he thinking?
Sure, he runs and trains plenty — but this isn’t Kansas anymore (though it technically is now his home state). Alaska offers a workout plan that often feels like a survival show audition. He was adamant it would happen, so on a Thursday, when my wife was taking our daughter to Anchorage to fly out for college, he asked to be dropped off at the trailhead in Hope to start his quest. The weather was pleasant, so he left his jacket, brought his trail food, water bottle with filter, bear spray, phone, and a SOS tracker. At 1:30 p.m. he departed his pilgrimage to Cooper landing.
In Scripture, pilgrimage is a journey with a destination. It is most often used to describe one’s movement toward the presence of God. Psalm 84:5 says, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”
Psalm 84 describes worshipful singers traveling to the temple and longing to be in the company of God. Being in the temple was not enough, they wanted to get closer to knowing God.
Ancient Israelites often made pilgrimages to celebrate certain feasts and for them it was both a physical and spiritual journey. The pilgrimage points to a heart longing for God and finding strength or faith to trust in Him during the journey.
My son completed his journey to the Resurrection Trailhead in Cooper Landing in 8 hours and 16 minutes. He had traveled 39.36 miles to his destination and covered 3,825 feet of elevation. His training, resources and determination made his pilgrimage possible (even though, officially, he ran out of Hope).
Life can also be compared to a journey. Relying solely on ourselves and treating this world as our ultimate home may offer temporary fulfillment, but if we were created for something greater — for a relationship with God — then each of us has a spiritual journey to embrace. The “blessed” person finds strength in God and a “heart set on pilgrimage” means living as a sojourner, moving to the presence of God. It is a journey of faith moving toward progress, direction and determination on the path to following God and His best for living.
My son’s preparation and determination carried him through his long run. Our faith journey depends on being in relationship with God and relying on His strength so we can keep our eyes on Him. The life of a believer is not about ease or self-reliance but about moving steadily toward and living in the presence of God. Each step of trust and obedience draws us closer to the home He has prepared, until the day our pilgrimage is complete in His presence. What step will you take this week toward God on your journey of faith?
Frank Alioto is the pastor of Roots Family Church and serves as a chaplain in our community.
