I just returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
I’m intentional with the language I use about this trip. It was a pilgrimage. Not just tourism. Not just sightseeing. A pilgrimage. So what is the difference?
What’s the Goal?
Travel is great! I love a good vacation.
Sometimes, we travel to relax. We head out to the woods or the beach, someplace away from our usual environment so that we can really unwind. This is holy too. God calls us to rest.
Other times, we travel to learn. We visit a historical site to learn more about the events that happened in that place. What a great thing to do! I was shaped by childhood vacations to some of the pivotal locations of American history that helped me to understand where we come from.
Still other times, we travel for the experience itself. To see something amazing, like a natural wonder. Or to zipline across the canyon. Or to spend time with loves ones. Or to see something that only happens in that one place. Experiences like that are cornerstones of many of our lives.
A pilgrimage may include all of those things. It might take you to a place where you can truly relax. It may (it likely will) be full of historical significance and learning. It is certainly a formative experience – both of the people we travel with and meet, and of the once-in-a-lifetime moments.
While a pilgrimage includes all of those things, it is more.
The goal of a pilgrimage is a spiritual experience – an experience of the divine that shapes our faith and helps us see the world in new ways.
The learning we do as pilgrims is in order that we may better understand God, ourselves, our faith, or our Scriptures.
The relaxation we do as pilgrims helps us to better connect with God and the world God has made.
The community we share and experiences we encounter give us new insights into our faith.
It is learning in service of spiritual growth.
Relaxation in service of spiritual growth.
Community and life experiences in service of spiritual growth.
The primary thing that defines a pilgrimage is that it is a journey with a specific purpose: to grow in faith.
Where are You Going?
To be clear – you can take a pilgrimage anywhere!
A pilgrimage may take you to a neighboring town, across the ocean, out into the woods, or any number of places. We know that any variety of places – across the globe or down the street – can be holy if we are aware of what God is doing in that place.
With the goal of experiencing the divine, a trip to any location becomes a pilgrimage.
Historically, pilgrimages have been to locations of specific religious significance.
In the Christian tradition, this has first of all been to the land of Jesus’ life and ministry – sometimes called the Holy Land. Pilgrimages from Europe to this region are documented back to the 4th century AD.
Very quickly, however, the list of pilgrimage locations expanded. People traveled to see the amazing church in the next village over. To see the home of someone whose faith they admired. To see a place where other people connected deeply with God.
With a faith that believes that God is always at work in the world, locations that have religious significance abound!
That lens – a location with specific religious significance – helps the pilgrim to find their destination.
Purpose plus location is the essence of what sets a pilgrimage apart from the rest of our travels.
But God is Everywhere
Absolutely.
I’ll be the first to say – you may absolutely encounter God at the water park. I’d wager that many people probably have over the years. But that is not why the water park is important, nor is it the primary reason you go there.
Sometimes, we have to get outside of our normal routines and places to reconnect with God. A change of location can result in a change of perspective.
Certain places – many places – have been important in our faith. Traveling to those places, with the goal of deepening our faith, is one way (though not the only) we can reconnect with our faith.
Be a Pilgrim With Me
In July 2023 I am leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and I would love to travel with you.