Embracing the Journey: Faith as a Pilgrimage

Devotional

Day 1: The Journey is the Point: Embracing the Pilgrimage of Faith

The spiritual life is not about rushing to a destination, but about faithfully walking step by step, allowing the journey itself to shape and transform us. Just as pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago discover meaning not only in reaching Santiago but in every step along the way, so too do we find spiritual maturity in the daily walk with Christ. The path may be beautiful or difficult, but each moment offers an opportunity to encounter God, grow in faith, and become more fully ourselves. The journey is sacred, and every step matters. [28:13]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been so focused on reaching a goal that you missed the growth and presence of God available to you along the way? How might you slow down and notice God’s work in your journey today?

Day 2: Expect That You Can: Trusting God’s Strength Over Fear

When facing challenges on the journey—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—it is easy to let fear take over and expect failure. Yet, God continually reminds us not to be afraid, and that we never walk alone. Preparation and community help, but ultimately, God gives us the faith and strength needed for whatever our journey requires. Even when the path seems daunting, we can trust that God will provide what we need, and that we are capable of more than we imagine when we walk with Him. [39:33]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflection: What is one fear or challenge you are facing right now? How can you invite God into that place and take a step forward, trusting that He will give you the strength you need?

Day 3: Be Doers of the Word: Living Faith in Action

Faith is not just about hearing or knowing God’s word, but about putting it into practice in our daily lives. The letter of James calls us to be doers of the word, reminding us that following Christ means living differently—letting our actions reflect the love, mercy, and teachings of Jesus. As we walk the road of life, our faith is made real in the choices we make, the way we treat others, and the way we respond to God’s call each day. [40:52]

James 1:22-25 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can put your faith into action today—at home, at work, or in your community?

Day 4: Remembering Who You Are: Becoming Your True Self in Christ

Living out God’s word is not about forcing ourselves into a mold, but about courageously relaxing into the energizing power of being truly, authentically who we are in Christ. When we practice our faith, we are returned to ourselves, remembering our identity as beloved children of God. The journey of faith is about becoming more fully who God created us to be, letting go of pretense and embracing our true selves. [41:53]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel pressure to be someone you’re not? How can you practice being your authentic self, rooted in God’s love, today?

Day 5: We Never Walk Alone: The Gift of Companions on the Journey

Pilgrimage is rarely a solitary endeavor; there are always other pilgrims on the path. In our spiritual journey, God places companions—family, friends, church community—beside us to encourage, support, and walk with us. We are called to welcome others, to walk together in unity even when we are not like-minded, and to recognize that Christ walks with us always. The journey is richer and more meaningful when we share it with others. [22:22]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Reflection: Who are the companions God has placed on your journey? How can you encourage or support one of them in a tangible way this week?

Sermon Summary

Each Sunday, we gather as a community of seekers—old and young, lifelong believers and those just beginning to wonder—drawn together by a longing for God and a hope for transformation. Our time together is a celebration of resurrection, a reminder that God has conquered death and invites us into a new way of living. Today, we began a journey exploring pilgrimage, both as a physical act and a spiritual metaphor, inspired by the Camino de Santiago and the letter of James. The Camino, a thousand-year-old trail across northern Spain, is a pilgrimage to a holy place, but more than that, it is a journey that shapes the soul.

Pilgrimage is not just about reaching a destination; it is about the journey itself. The act of walking—step by step, day by day—mirrors the spiritual life. We are called, as Jesus called the disciples, to “come and follow,” not to rush, but to walk faithfully, allowing the journey to transform us. Along the way, we encounter challenges, doubts, and fears. My own preparation for the Camino was filled with uncertainty—would my body hold up after knee surgery? Would I be able to carry my pack? Yet, through preparation, perseverance, and the support of fellow pilgrims, I discovered that I could do more than I imagined. The fears that loomed large before the journey were diminished by the reality of walking it, one step at a time.

This is true of our spiritual journey as well. We often fear that faith will ask too much of us, but God always provides what we need for the road ahead. We are never alone; God walks with us, and we are surrounded by fellow travelers—family, friends, and the community of faith. The letter of James reminds us that faith is not just something we hear or believe, but something we do. To be doers of the word is to live out our faith in daily actions, to remember who we truly are, and to allow the journey itself to shape us. The path is sometimes easy, sometimes steep and exhausting, but each step is sacred. The journey is the point, and in walking it, we become more fully ourselves, more deeply rooted in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Pilgrimage is a sacred journey, both physical and spiritual, that invites us to transformation. The act of walking step by step is a living metaphor for the spiritual life, reminding us that growth and maturity come not from rushing to a destination, but from faithfully traveling the path before us. Each step, whether easy or difficult, is an opportunity to encounter God and be changed. [28:13]
2. The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. Just as pilgrims on the Camino find companionship and support, so too do we find fellow travelers on our spiritual path—family, friends, and the church community. These companions help us bear burdens, celebrate joys, and remind us that we are never truly alone, even when the way is hard. [22:22]
3. Preparation and perseverance are essential for both physical and spiritual journeys. Facing fears and uncertainties is part of the process, but through preparation, honest self-reflection, and the willingness to keep going, we discover strength we did not know we had. God equips us for the journey, often in ways we only recognize in hindsight. [36:58]
4. Faith is not merely intellectual assent or passive belief; it is lived out in action. The letter of James calls us to be doers of the word, to put faith into practice in our daily lives. In doing so, we remember who we truly are—beloved children of God—and we allow the word to shape us from the inside out. [40:52]
5. The journey itself is holy, not just the destination. Spiritual growth happens along the way, in the ordinary and the difficult, in the moments of doubt and the moments of joy. By embracing the journey, we open ourselves to transformation, trusting that God is present in every step and that each trial shapes us for greater faithfulness. [44:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:23] - Gathering and Community Invitation
[11:08] - Introduction to Pilgrimage Series
[16:25] - Entrance Hymn: Shall We Gather at the River
[19:31] - Children’s Time: What is a Pilgrimage?
[22:22] - Mini Pilgrimage with the Children
[25:59] - Camino de Santiago: Personal Story
[28:13] - History and Meaning of Pilgrimage
[32:44] - What Makes a Real Pilgrim?
[36:58] - Preparation, Fears, and Lessons from the Camino
[39:33] - Faith, Fear, and the Letter of James
[40:52] - Being Doers of the Word
[43:36] - The Challenge of the Journey
[44:38] - Reflective Mini Pilgrimage and Questions
[47:29] - Taking the Journey into the Week
[49:46] - Prayers of the People
[54:09] - Thanksgiving and Communion
[60:01] - Announcements and Community Life
[62:32] - Upcoming Events and Sending
[65:12] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

James 1:22-25 (ESV) — > But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Matthew 4:19 (ESV) — > And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Observation Questions

According to James 1:22-25, what is the difference between being a hearer and a doer of the word?
In the sermon, what are some of the challenges and fears the pastor faced while preparing for the Camino pilgrimage? ([36:58])
How does the act of walking step by step on a pilgrimage serve as a metaphor for the spiritual life, as described in the sermon? ([28:13])
Who are some of the “fellow travelers” mentioned in the sermon that support us on our spiritual journey? ([22:22])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think James emphasizes being a “doer” of the word and not just a “hearer”? How does this relate to the idea of pilgrimage as a journey, not just a destination? ([40:52])
The pastor shared that fears before the journey were bigger than the reality of walking it. What does this suggest about the way we approach challenges in our faith? ([36:58])
The sermon says, “The journey is the point.” What does it mean for spiritual growth to happen “along the way” rather than just at the end? ([28:13])
How does having companions on the journey—family, friends, church—change the experience of faith and facing difficulties? ([22:22])

Application Questions

The pastor talked about preparing for the Camino and facing fears about whether she could finish. Is there something in your spiritual life right now that feels intimidating or overwhelming? What would “preparation” look like for you? ([36:58])
Think about a time when you discovered you were stronger or more capable than you thought, either physically or spiritually. What helped you realize this? ([36:58])
The sermon says, “We are never alone; God walks with us, and we are surrounded by fellow travelers.” Who are the people in your life who walk with you in faith? How can you support each other more intentionally? ([22:22])
James calls us to be “doers of the word.” What is one specific way you can put your faith into action this week—at home, at work, or in your community? ([40:52])
The journey itself is described as holy, not just the destination. Where have you experienced God’s presence in the “ordinary” or difficult moments of your life? ([44:38])
The pastor invited everyone to reflect on “What trials are shaping you right now?” How might God be using your current challenges to grow your faith? ([44:38])
If you were to invite God more intentionally into your daily walk—your routines, your worries, your joys—what might change? ([19:31])

Sermon Clips

Pilgrimage is a journey and it is holy, it is physical and spiritual, and while there is a destination, the journey is the point. The journey itself is sacred. Spiritual maturity grows not from rushing to a destination but from walking faithfully step by step. [00:30:22] (28 seconds) #FaithfulStepByStep

Jesus called the disciples to come and follow—not rush—step by step, and then they went on a journey together, and the journey was the point. Each one of us is on a spiritual journey, and we've heard the call to come and follow Christ, and our lives are the journey of following Jesus. [00:30:50] (33 seconds) #JourneyWithJesus

When the spiritual journey feels like faith asks too much, and will I be able to do it, that instead of expecting failure, we remember that we never walk alone, and we can. That God always gives us the faith for whatever our spiritual journey asks of us. [00:39:33] (21 seconds) #FaithWeCanWalk

Our faith is lived in action. Unless we're in a coma, we are doing. We are living lives. And being a follower of Christ means that we live differently, that we put the message of Christ into daily practice. [00:41:04] (17 seconds) #FaithInActionDaily

I love the way James correlates being a doer of the word with remembering yourself. He says, we look in the mirror and we remember when we are doers of the word. That to hear the word of God and do it is to look in the mirror and remember who we are. [00:41:21] (23 seconds) #DoersRememberIdentity

Sometimes when I was younger, I thought that following Jesus meant like muscling up the willpower to mold myself into something I wasn't. And in fact, being doers of the word is to courageously relax into that energizing power of being truly, authentically who we are. [00:41:44] (24 seconds) #AuthenticFaithPower

I've heard all this stuff. I've heard about being doers of the word and the journey is the point. And the spiritual journey is a daily practice. And it was one thing to know that. It was another thing to walk it. And that was powerful for me. Because the journey is the point. [00:42:22] (19 seconds) #WalkingTheFaithJourney

Where have you grown most deeply, not at the destination, but along the way? What does it mean to be doers of the word on the road of life? And what trials are shaping you right now? [00:45:05] (18 seconds) #GrowthAlongTheWay

As you go from this place may your feet find solid ground, may your spirit find steady rhythm, may your doubts find holy company, and may you know that you are not alone. Keep walking. Christ walks with you. May the blessing of God almighty, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always. [01:05:12] (28 seconds) #WalkingWithChristBlessing

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