The Way of Pilgrimage by Ken Janke (Board Member and Voyage Director)
I just returned from Western Ireland where I lead a group of 43 from a church in Charlotte N.C. on a pilgrimage. Many ask me, what is a pilgrimage? Scripture invites us to set our hearts on pilgrimage. A pilgrim is one who does not live as though this is their home, but rather as a place they find themselves traveling through. These places become class rooms where God instructs and whispers our daily direction. When we set our heart on pilgrimage we posture ourselves for growth, discovery, and perspective building. A pilgrimage is marked by moments of wonder, exploration and encounter moments with our savior. As I lead this group of pilgrims, I become a spiritual director helping them see what often is missed in the everyday. As a pilgrim travels, they begin to find the thin places where heaven and earth seem to collide, allowing them to glimpse the other side. These are moments of wonder that we can experiencing every day. Sometimes getting away becomes the best way to remove the distractions so we can see clearer.
Off of the western wilds of Ireland, stand the Cliffs of Moher. This magnificent precipice looks toward the Atlantic and for ages, Irish monks came to this lonely spot praying and waiting for the coming kingdom. I took the pilgrims from Christ Episcopal there and gave them the opportunity to take time to soak in the beauty and to journal their thoughts. The following is what one pilgrim had to say about their day together.
“Today our group visited the small town of Doolin. We spent an hour checking out the shops and eating lunch before we began our hike to the Cliffs of Moher. We started out on a gravel road and after awhile we turned off on to a grassy trail that led us along the cliffs edge towards the cliffs of Moher. The views where really pretty awesome. As we walked the cliffs grew higher and higher above the sea below. Our view morphed into one which became more and more spectacular. About half way up it was easy to tell that everyone was amazed by what we where seeing. We where hiking on the edge of 800 ft cliffs seeing panoramic views of the Irish sea along with the rolling hills of the Irish country side. No one could stop talking about the beauty of what we where seeing. Many of us agree that this was one of the best experiences of our lives. The freedom and peace which you feel on those cliffs knowing that we where witnessing one of the most beautiful and spectacular vistas is an experience which can’t justifiably be described with words. It is truly a feeling of wonder and awe at the natural beauty of Gods creation.”
As we arrived together for a moment of reflection, the pilgrims were asked to ponder upon how the Cliff’s can be a picture of God. Majestic, terrifying, glorious, dangerous. Many in the world today have lost a healthy fear of God. The book of Proverbs proclaims that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God is the ability to both call Him Abba Father and yet be utterly awed by Who He is. It is to look into the face of God and live- to behold His beauty and majesty in a reverence that causes a mind-altering silence. This is the experience that griped these pilgrims from Charlotte N.C. A simple walk followed by a reflection and a powerful invitation to apply that moment to their life. A pilgrimage is always about inviting the pilgrim to ask the question, “In light of this revelation how then shall I live?”
When I travel with pilgrims I always blend service to the trip. This Leaves a legacy of sacrificial love and service in the places we visit and in the lives of the pilgrims who travel with us. This can be a service project that creates space to work and give back to the place that is speaking to us as we travel. I also create cultural encounters as well. A cultural encounter can be more like experiencing the people and how they live. This can be a powerful way to discover the blind spots that our own culture so easily hides from our eyes. This time away with God is a beautiful time to pray, think, and imagine the life God is intended us to live as we travel this temporary life.
Each year I am given the opportunity to lead groups to amazing places and put them in the story God is writing. This is a great gift and one I love doing. Should you like to experience a pilgrimage for you and your group of friends leave me a comment and who knows maybe we will find ourselves traveling the road together.
Visit Ken’s Website: http://www.groundworksonline.com/