A Pilgrim’s Independence Day Reflection

Google’s dictionary says a pilgrim is someone “who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.” When my parents visited me a couple of months ago, we went to places like the Baptism site, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem – places that have been brimming with pilgrims for centuries. While I was happy to visit many of these “sacred places,” I had no desire to kiss the ground or splash myself with sanctified water in a religious ritual.

“Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5).

My pilgrimage is different from the average Holy Land tourist. I want my religious reason to be the revelation that Jesus is worthy to receive glory from every tribe, nation, and tongue. I want my sacred place to be wherever He calls me to set my foot. (Unfortunately my true motives aren’t usually so pure and my feet don’t always willingly go where He asks.)

(Image from commons.wikimedia.org)

Almost 400 years ago, a group of people we call pilgrims landed on the eastern shores of the land we now cherish. Their religious reason as we’re taught was legitimate: they were seeking freedom to worship. According to William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth Colony, the pilgrims had additional reasons: “Lastly, (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the propagating and advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work” (From “Of Plymouth Plantation” by William Bradford).

Advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom – what a grand purpose these brave ones held.

I live in a Middle Eastern country that is proud of its religious freedom. It’s possible to find churches and mosques next to each other, each group worshiping in peace. But the standards of freedom are tightened when it comes to someone with a background of the majority religion who wants to follow Christ. Restrictions surface when a Christian is too vocal about his or her faith with a friend who’s ID doesn’t say “Christian.” There is freedom to practice religion as long as it doesn’t include challenging the system of order.

I’m grateful for pilgrims 400 years ago who came “as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.” I’m grateful that in America I can freely and openly share about Jesus without wondering who else is listening. I’m disturbed that I don’t take advantage of this freedom when I’m stateside. I’m challenged to love Jesus and proclaim Truth and declare Liberty in whatever sacred place He leads me – even in the nation I call my own. That’s the Freedom I want to celebrate today – the freedom to do what He asks without fear.