Pastor's Blog

“Pilgrimage or Journey? One in the Same?”

Mark 13:32-36

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴ It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. ³⁵ Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶ or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

We are all on a journey called life, and life can be very complex, to say the least. Life is complicated, especially today. Life happens, and we often must adjust to what comes our way. But the good news is that we are not alone. We have our Creator with us, our family with us, our church community with us as well. These are the support systems that can aid us along our path, especially when the road gets “rocky," and we may encounter "bumps," and the way may have sections that are not finished yet.

Speaking of roads, here is some news you may have forgotten about our area of Roanoke:

“As of January 2020, 10th Street has reopened to through traffic and long-term traffic detours have been removed. Work on the project began in summer 2017 and is expected to be completed in spring 2020” (https://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/tenth_street_improvements_-_roanoke.asp, accessed 2.26.2020).

Did you know that this happened? A path in our area has been cleared for travel again. How reassuring; a lot of things had to happen to create this new path of an “old road.” This is an old road made fresh again; the church from time to time experiences the same renewal. It is a type of resurrection or an act of renewal by God. We sometimes must wait on God's movement among us; however, we often miss it because we are not "watching" for it. In our scripture, the word "beware" shows us: “The verb Mark uses is ‘see’ or ‘watch.’ The ‘watch out’ emphasis occurs dramatically here (vv. 35, 37) as it did through the symbolism of listening in chap. 4” (Discipleship Bible commentary, 1774.). It is also reflected in Mark 4:9: ^9, And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” “Mark is concerned that Jesus’ followers pay attention and stay alert for opportunities to respond to and with kingdom power” (Ibid, 1757).

Have you been listening and watching along the way of your journey or pilgrimage? Have you been waiting for God's movement among us? Are you seeking renewal for your path?

Peace,

Pastor Harvey