“Life is a pilgrimage. Each moment is to be lived in depth, because each moment contains God, hidden within it.” ― Banani Ray
“Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! They will grow constantly in strength, and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion.” ― Psalm 84: 5-7 TLB
When we’re struggling with life’s many challenges, and the road ahead looks steep, daunting and dark, we can still rest in the fact that God is with us every step of the way. He is always able to come to our aid, fill us with His peace, rescue and save.
God holds us close, pours out His love, gives us His mercy and grace, whispers solace to our souls, calms our fretful hearts, and encourages us every step of the way. May we hold onto that thought when we are weary and the going gets tough.
We might get to the end of our rope but we are always given the means and strength to cope and go on. When we go through deep waters, Jesus is the lifebelt we need to stay afloat.
Pilgrimage
this pilgrimage
this journey we are on
has its twists and turns
there are potholes and caves
places where we will be safe
we’ll face high crags
and mountainous terrain
for us to traverse
if our shoes are stout enough
and we refuse to give up
endure the desert
barren, dry, dusty places
where our feet will burn
and our souls become parched
as hope dips low in our hearts
we might get to swim
in refreshing ocean depths
in purer air
calmer waters than before
glimpsing sight of land and shore
let us not give up
when heavy tests and trials come
when life gets tough
but hang in and hold on tight
victorious in the fight
© joylenton
God dries our tears when we cry, comforts us when we’re anxious and afraid, and gives us His Hope in the darkest circumstances of our Christian pilgrimage. We can fully trust in Him, as in the song below. May it bring you hope, my friend. ❤
“When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You”
― Trust in You by Lauren Daigle
Poetry Joy 
This is wonderful encouragement, Joy! I especially like the quote by Banani Ray. Blessings on your day!
Jacquie, I’m so glad you found it encouraging. This post was birthed in a dark place where life’s trials were heavy and prolonged but God made all the difference in the world. Although my situation hasn’t been fully resolved yet, I feel calmer and more at peace. That’s the joy and wonder of God’s merciful compassion and grace isn’t it? May you overflow with holy hope as you trust in Him. Blessings and love to you, my friend. ❤️
Dear Joy,
Thank you for sharing such precious thoughts with us, words brought forth from the deep struggles of your own pilgrimage. I especially was touched by your images of feet and shoes:
“if our shoes are stout enough” and
“barren, dry, dusty places
where our feet will burn”
It seems that the balance and stability of my feet have been called into question of late, and I feel so unsteady. But yet, even in that unsteadiness there is a purpose when I can see it as the pilgrimage assigned by the Lord. Thank you for this sweet encouragement tonight, just when I needed it. Blessings, love, and hugs to you dear heart-sister. xoxo
Dear Bettie, although I wasn’t specifically thinking about it when I wrote the poem, your words have reminded me of the passage in Ephesians chapter six about having our “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”, which suggests how we best walk out our pilgrimage.
Perhaps it’s actually our hearts that need to be stout and full of courage! And the burning feet I depicted were intended to reveal the arduous heat of the desert experience and how we long for cool, refreshing waters to soothe our fiery trial-battered bodies and minds, and assuage our parched and thirsty souls when we’re traversing such inhospitable territory.
Am I making any sense or am I just rambling?! I sympathise with your lack of good balance and stability because it affects me too. Having nausea and dizziness doesn’t help, does it? Being out of kilter tends to highlight God’s steadying power and how much we need His strength. It’s also a reminder to lean on Him throughout our pilgrimage, not just when we think we can manage by ourselves. I’m so glad you have been encouraged here, sweet friend. Blessings, love, and hugs to you too, dear heart-sister. xoxo 💜
Yes, you are making sense and I so agree with you. It is our hearts that need to be stout and so full of courage. I am so thankful that our Lord truly is the ONE who will bring us His steadying power. Thank you so much for all of your love and prayers dear sister! Love and Hugs and prayers tonight! xoxo
Oh that’s good to know! I’m also so thankful that “our Lord truly is the ONE who will bring us His steadying power.” That’s such a relief and great reassurance, isn’t it? You are most welcome to my love, thoughts and prayers, dear sister, and I really appreciate yours as well! They have made a tremendous difference to me, especially during this particularly tough week. Bless you, sweet friend! xoxo
Such a beautiful reminder, Joy 💜💜
Thank you, Michael! I’m so pleased it spoke to you. Bless you, dear Brother. ❤💜
As the old hymn says:
Lord, Thou art with me,
And Thou dost give
Strength for the journey,
Grace now to live.
Amen, David! We can rely on God for all those things. Thanks for sharing those lovely lines of an old hymn. Bless you. ☺