Pilgrim Songs

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Psalms 119:54   

Songs are intended to move our hearts and not just our minds. Songwriters in every generation are the influencers for that generation (for good or for evil.) Music itself has incredible power for influencing the emotions. If we are watching a movie of a little boy riding his bicycle down a street and the background music is light and breezy (la-ta-ta-da-la-ta-ta-ta-da) we have a very different emotional response than if the music is dark and ominous (dum-dum-dum-dum.) The songs we choose to listen to for our own pleasure are songs that uplift us. Songs that fill us with joy and peace and hope. That is what God's word is like for the pilgrim on his journey. God's word encourages and strengthens. It helps us keep our focus on what is important, and it reminds us that "this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..."

If you had asked me on my 10th birthday if I was going to heaven when I died, I would have responded, "Yes." And if you then asked me why I thought so I would have said, "Because my good deeds outweigh my bad deed and I believe in God." But something happened during that 11th year of my life that changed the entire trajectory of my life. I stole a book titled "The Angle Inlet Mystery" by Bernard Palmer.

That book opened my eyes to reality from God's perspective. I learned that the Bible taught I was a sinner and that the wages of sin is death. I learned that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I learned that all my righteous actions were like filthy rags in God's sight. I learned I was lost and on my way to hell - eternal separation from my creator. I learned that Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross for my sins, and that if I would repent and put my trust in Him - in His sacrificial death for me, in His love for me, in His wisdom, in His power, in His faithfulness - then He would forgive me of all my sins.

I wanted to be saved, but I thought at the time that following Jesus would be boring. There would be too many things that I couldn't do if I was to follow Jesus, but finally I came to trust that if He loved me and wanted what was best for me then following Him would not be boring. So I bowed my head, confessed my sins, opened the door to my heart and invited Jesus to come in and forgive me, cleanse me and guide me. I don't remember the exact day of the year, but I have never forgotten the result. The sky never looked so blue before and the trees never looked so green. I was happy... so happy! I was free!

And so began my journey as a pilgrim. But what does a 10 year old sheltered Jamaican boy know about "fleshly lusts which war against the soul"? What does he know about the journey ahead... the trials... the temptations... the snares? I knew nothing. But I had a heavenly Father who was going to take my hand and lead me through the difficult times I was about to face. And I also had His word - the Bible - which I started to read on my own from that time. I also had the Holy Spirit, who would lead me into all truth.

I have been at this pilgrimage now for 57 years. I trust you will allow me the privilege of having your accompany me for at least some of the rest of my journey.