The Pilgrim Mindset

Back in October 2007 I bought the book "Life As A Vapor" from John Piper's conference. It's a book of thirty-one meditations for the Christian faith. In one of the meditations, Piper highlights a sermon preached by Jonathan Edwards titled "The Christian Pilgrim." These are the points he touched upon:

• Pilgrims are not diverted from their aim. Their journey's end (heaven) is ever on their minds.

• Pilgrims are to hold the things of this world loosely. They are not distracted by the things nor cares of this world. They are able to cheerfully part with such things whenever God calls.
  

• Pilgrims become like what they hope to attain. The closer they get to heaven, the more they should be growing in likeness to the inhabitants of heaven.

• Pilgrims will not be satisfied with anything less than God. The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children and friends, are but shadows. God is the substance.

• Pilgrims are not grieved by their arrival at the journey's end. They ought not to fear death. Does the traveler think of his journey's end with fear and terror? Is it terrible to him to think that he has almost got to his journey's end? Were the children of Israel sorry after forty years' travel in the wilderness, when they had almost got to Canaan?

• Pilgrims ponder what they pursue. We need to labor to be much acquainted with heaven. If we are not acquainted with it, we will not be sensible of its worth, nor will we long for it.

• Pilgrims travel together. Company is very desirable in a journey, but in none so much as this. Let them go united and not fall out by the way. This will ensure a more successful traveling and a more joyful meeting at their Father's house in glory.

Just wanted to share this reminder and encouragement to my fellow travelers!