God Of The Uncharted Ways - A Virtual Pilgrimage 9/10
by Darlene Hull
Welcome, Pilgrim, to the Light! Today, our pilgrimage journey took us on an ascent to a high, windswept Hebridean headland, to the steadfast presence of a lighthouse. From this elevated viewpoint, we reflected on the theme of gaining spiritual perspective in our lives and looked to Christ as our one true, unwavering Guiding Light who brings clarity in the midst of life's storms. --- Free music and sound effects from Pixabay
Transcript
Hello,
And welcome back to God of the Uncharted Ways.
Yesterday we delighted in the wild community of creation on the Seabird Cliffs.
Today,
On our ninth day,
Our pilgrimage path leads us upward,
Ascending to a place of solitude,
Perspective,
And unwavering light.
This time together is a precious chance to step away from the immediate turmoil of the waves of life,
To quiet our hearts,
And to look for the steady,
Guiding light of God.
As always,
You'll hear a gentle chime at the halfway point of our walk today.
If you're not on a circular path,
That will be your cue to turn for home.
So,
Let's take a deep breath of the clear,
High air.
Let the rhythm of your steps settle your spirit,
And let's begin our climb towards the light.
After immersing ourselves in the vibrant life of the coast,
Our journey takes us to a dramatic Hebridean headland,
To the base of a tall,
Steadfast lighthouse.
Here,
High above the crashing waves,
We seek to gain spiritual perspective on our own lives,
Reflecting on Christ as our true and steady guide,
And praying for the clarity that comes from seeing things from a higher vantage point.
As you begin your walk today,
Imagine this ascent.
Imagine your path is a steep,
Grassy track,
Hugging the side of a great cliff.
Feel the effort in your legs as you climb,
The wind pressing against you,
Growing stronger with every step upward.
Below,
You can see the churning sea,
A mesmerizing pattern of deep blues,
Greens,
And white foam.
The lighthouse tower,
Brilliant white,
Grows larger and larger above you,
A symbol of your goal.
Take a deep,
Invigorating breath.
Imagine the air at this height is different,
Sharper,
Cleaner,
Clearer.
As you breathe in,
Imagine you are inhaling clarity.
As you exhale,
Release the fog of confusion,
The mists of doubt,
The low-lying anxieties that can obscure your vision.
You've reached the lighthouse.
Imagine your path is a steep,
Grassy track,
Standing on the solid stone platform at its base.
Feel the immense,
Sturdy structure at your back,
A bastion of security against the elements.
Now,
Turn your gaze outwards.
From this high viewpoint,
Your perspective has changed completely.
You can see the grand sweep of the coastline,
The hidden coves,
The dangerous,
Half-submerged rocks,
And the clear,
Safe channels.
You can see the weather moving in from miles away.
Picture this immense panorama,
This God's-eye view of the landscape.
Listen to the symphony of this high place,
The powerful,
Constant voice of the wind,
The rhythmic,
Reassuring blast of the wind.
Listen to the rustle of the leaves,
The rustle of the grass,
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As you continue your walk,
Reflect on the areas of your life where you most need this lighthouse perspective.
Where are you feeling tossed by the waves?
In what ways are you seeking the guidance of Christ,
Our steady light?
How are you tending the lantern of your own soul?
The lighthouse does not shout instructions.
It does not calm the sea.
It simply shines.
It's a beacon of hope.
A promise of direction.
In the same way,
God's presence and truth shine steadily,
Waiting for us to lift our eyes from the waves and fix our gaze on him.
Let's take a moment to pray for perspective,
For clarity,
And for the grace to follow our true light.
God,
Our high tower,
Our rock,
And our salvation.
We have climbed in spirit to this place of wide perspective,
And we stand in awe of your grandeur.
From this vantage point,
We see the vastness of our world and the complexities of our lives.
And we are humbled.
We thank you for the moments of clarity you grant us,
For the glimpses of the bigger picture that give us hope and reorient our steps.
Lord Jesus,
You are the true light of the world,
The steadfast lighthouse for all humanity.
Forgive us for the times we fix our gaze on the churning waves of our immediate problems,
On the fog of our doubts,
And on the passing storms of our circumstances.
Help us to lift our eyes to you.
Be the fixed point in our turning world,
The reliable beam that cuts through our darkest nights.
Grant us the wisdom to seek higher ground when we feel lost at sea.
Lead us up the winding path of prayer and reflection,
That we might see our lives and our struggles from your eternal perspective.
Show us the hidden dangers,
Illuminate the safe channels,
And guide us ever onward towards the safe harbour of your will.
And as we are guided by your light,
Create in us the desire and the discipline to be lighthouses for others.
Help us to tend the flame of our own faith,
With consistency and care,
That our lives might shine with your love,
Your truth,
And your hope,
Offering a beacon of guidance to those who are navigating their own dark waters.
May we be faithful keepers of the light you have entrusted to us.
Amen.
Once you're home and settled,
Here are some journaling questions you might like to work with.
What is one area in your life right now where you feel tossed by the waves and need a higher perspective?
What is one practical step you could take this week to climb the path to the lighthouse,
To seek that higher ground?
The lighthouse doesn't stop the storm,
But it guides ships through it.
In what way do you need the light of Christ to guide you through a certain difficulty?
Rather than remove it.
The lighthouse keeper's work was a daily,
Disciplined task.
What is one small,
Consistent discipline you could practice to tend the lantern of your own soul,
So your light for others can shine more brightly?
Tomorrow is the final day of our Hebridean pilgrimage.
We will take time to reflect on the key insights from our journey and consider how we can carry the peace,
Wisdom,
And perspective of the island back into our daily lives.
And that brings our time to a close.
May you go in peace,
Held in the grace of the God who calls you out upon the waters.
I look forward to welcoming you back here again tomorrow.
In the meantime,
Rest in his presence.
Go with God and be blessed.
