The other day a Pastor friend was speaking about some of his decision making process.  As he spoke, he asked us if we were Pilgrims or Settlers.  I right away raised my hand as a pilgrim.  That began me thinking about the question and what God might have us be.

     When we consider the Exodus, we see God having the children of Israel move into the land and posses it.  They were to settle there, raise families there and live their lives before God there.  They at one time were nomadic in nature and moving toward the promised land, and now God was having them become settlers.  Through time they would be taken away from their land into exile dwelling somewhere other than their home.  They essentially went from settlers to pilgrims, and from pilgrims to settlers and back again.  So are we to be Pilgrims or not?

     When I reflect upon that question, I see the answer as being both.  What I mean is, It’s really about being open and responsive by faith to God.   We live in this world, we raise children and basically dwell here on earth.  But in the New Testament we are told that our citizenship is not of this world.  So I believe it is about our attitudes and our willingness to follow after God.  While here on earth we are to be productive, have homes and families, and work jobs.  We are to have goals and make plans, but the difference is are we willing if asked by God to pick up and move?  Do we in the process of living here, live in such a way as to be ready and able to pick up and go.  What kind of trappings and excess do we keep around us?  What kind of debt do we carry, that might make it tougher to go as he wills?  Will we change careers if needed.  These are some of the things that we need while here, but can we put them all aside?

     Are you a Pilgrim or a settler?  How light can you travel if need be?

Picture: Reflections, by Fr Antunes