Pilgrimage to Glory!

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7

If you have no fear of heights, hot air balloons are an exciting endeavor. Up, up and away in your beautiful balloon! If the wind is blowing gently you will peacefully go with the flow until it is time to find a place to land. If the wind picks up the hot air balloon experience can quickly become a terrifying and even fatal ride. I prefer flying with someone controlling where I am going.

Life itself for some is like a hot air balloon ride. It is exciting enough at first and the view is beautiful. Like a balloon ride you have no idea where the wind is taking you! At times, like a balloon ride in a storm life can be terrifying and even fatal. When you get to the end of the ride you have no idea why you arrived at that destination since all you could do in this life is to make the best of where the wind took you.

When you become a follower of Jesus Christ you step out of the drifting balloon and become a pilgrim. Followers of Jesus are not just blown about by every wind that comes their way. Christians are on a journey. It is a journey that will end when they stand before the throne of God in Heaven.

The way to Heaven is Jesus Himself. Jesus said “"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.!” (John 14:6)

Like Peter stepping out of the boat in a storm, Jesus calls us to leave the gondola and let Him take us on our Pilgrimage to Glory!