Read Online Pilgrimage by Lynn Austin - Free Book Online Page B

climbing and sacrificing and remembering.
    Remembering is important. As Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land to conquer and settle it, he erected “stones of remembrance,” a series of seven stone memorials so that the people could look back and say, “Yes, God is faithful. He brought me this far and gave me victory in this place.” The first memorial was comprised of stones taken from the Jordan riverbed, one for each tribe, as they crossed the river on dry land (Joshua 4:1–7). The final memorial was erected in Shechem, when Joshua and the people renewed their covenant with God after the land had been conquered. “When your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them . . . [God] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lordis powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God” (Joshua 4:21, 24).
    I’ve fallen into a monotonous routine back home because I have wanted to stay in one place when I should have moved forward. I’ve forgotten that discipleship is a journey. Now as I determine to start walking up to Jerusalem, continuing my walk with God, I want to mark the places where He has been faithful with stones of remembrance, revisiting them, never forgetting them. “Count your blessings, name them one by one . . . See what God has done,” the old gospel song reminds us. And after remembering, I want to move forward and celebrate what God is doing today, then ask Him what His plans are for tomorrow. How should I live during the next stage of my journey?
    When I look at this rugged terrain and the steep, breathless climb to Jerusalem, I wonder why we have tried to make the Christian life a comfortable one. Why are we tempted to make our faith experiences all about “arriving,” finding a great parking spot, resting on our achievements, building monuments and settling down? I was guilty of doing just that when I imagined that after raising three children for Christ they would settle down beside me and we’d all live happily ever after, serving Him within the static confines of our home church. Or when I became so comfortable with the ministry God has given me that I stopped looking for new ways to use my gifts and talents to serve Him. I’m learning that the spiritual life is all about change—moving forward and going steadily upward, growing closer and closer to God. It’s about sacrificing my will and my plans to His.
    I’m reminded of another old gospel song, “I have decided to follow Jesus . . . No turning back, no turning back.” Ioften forget that the only way I can follow someone is if we are both moving, not sitting still. If we want to follow Jesus we must remain in motion, hiking behind Him as He walks forward in a chosen direction—up to Jerusalem.
    The gospel of Mark says, “They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and . . . he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him” (Mark 10:32). What He revealed was not at all what they had imagined. “‘We are going up to Jerusalem,’ he said, ‘and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise’” (Mark 10:33–34).
    Jesus also said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24–25).
    “Are we there yet? . . . I’m tired . . . I’m thirsty . . .”
    No turning back. No turning back.
    Good Samaritans
    This road between Jerusalem and Jericho is where Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan takes place. In the story, a traveler is ambushed and beaten by robbers and left for dead. The modern highway is a steep, winding road, bordered by