All of this month my daily devotions from "Celtic Daily Prayer" have focused on the topic of "pilgrimage", and perhaps this little trip was, in it's own way a pilgrimage or retreat. I know that I can look out my window each morning as I eat breakfast, watch the birds come to the feeder; That I might have slept better, sounder, longer, in my own bed at home. But the point of being here is, "being here." Of doing "this", experiencing this new day in His creation. Of remembering that in all that we do, we are never alone. We do not face the challenges by ourselves.
A year ago, I posted a blog about the "ultimate devotional book for the adventurous Christian", Dr. Larry Christenson's "Ride the River". In his book, Dr. Larry uses the example of the journey of Lewis, Clark and the Corps of Discovery as a parable for our own relationship with the Triune God. We are the Corps. The Captains are Jesus and the Holy Spirit and God the Father is the president, under whose orders we journey.
As Esther DeWaal also points out, Jesus is more than just a "Captain" like Lewis or Clark. As we journey with Him, he is also our protector, our guide and our confidant. St. Patrick knew this; He had absolute faith in that fact, when he prayed, "Christ to shield me today...Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me." (from "St. Patrick's Breastplate")
I am not sure where the road or trail will lead me, but I do know that whenever I am faced with a challenge, God is bigger than any challenge the world or the enemy can throw at me.
Proceeding on...
Trailpatrol
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