One Way Ticket

This is it. This is my last full week in my current post. After 6 years in parish ministry in the UK, I'm taking a sabbatical in Canada with a community of Christians who meet to pray in all kinds of creative ways. This will involve such things as laptop DJing, digital art, improvised worship, prayer and intercession and so on.

I'm looking forward to a change of scene, of pace, and of focus for a while. As well as being a positive step in itself, it's also a chance to think about the future. It's time to step back and have a fresh look at things.

After that I have no idea what will happen. As things stand I'm heading to Canada on a one way ticket, without a job or a home to come back to. It feels a bit like this ...

This trip captures everything that Pilgrim's Progress blog has been about in its 3 years. Living every day with a desire to be in God's house, but until that day finally comes, to journey with that glorious destination in mind, to live intentionally, and to seek to live by what is REAL. I've fallen far short of this too often, but it remains my goal.

Psalm 84 captures it ...

Blessed are those whose stronghold[1] is in you
In whose hearts are pilgrim highways.
They grow in warrior courage
Till each of them appears before God in Zion.

Notes:
[1] Stronghold. Translates a word that means refuge, place of strength.
[2] Warrior Courage. The Hebrew word commonly translates as "army", "valour" or "might".

P.S. Pilgrim's Progress will keep running - that's the beauty of the web - I can update it from anywhere, and I hope to post some of the art & music that emerges from my involvement with the folks over there.

Comments

[neal]

sounds like standing on the edge of an adventure!
God bless as you have more time to explore your amazing creative gifting!

[Ben]

Sounds really exciting. Blessings on your journey - especially when it gets scary!
May God give you that courage.

[Carole]

How exciting! I hope everything goes great for you. I pray that God gives you everything you need to sustain you on this adventure. Think of Brendan ready to head off into the deep! God Bless, Richard, and thanks for your fab and inspiring creations.

[wend]

Have only noticed for first time today how the person has already leaped, and is not stood on the edge. Praying that there will be a soft landing beneath the clouds (in spiritual terms as well as the physical 'plane one!). Reminds me too of the eagle picture in Isaiah where the eagle just has to lock it's wings and the wind will carry it. May God's spirit be your updraft in the next stage of your journey. Happy soaring!