As we approach the Thanksgiving season, pilgrims are a common theme. It is also a fairly common theme in Holy Scripture.   The psalmist declares in Psalm 119 v.19, "I am a stranger on the earth.  Hide not thy commandments from me."  And after all the children of Israel were themselves pilgrims venturing out and following Moses into the wilderness in escape from a bitter condition of bondage in ancient Egypt.   For another example consider this quote from the Apostle Peter, “Beloved,  I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  (1Peter 2 vs.11-12)   The writer of Hebrews described a people who acknowledged that they were but "strangers and exiles on the earth."  (See Hebrews 11, v.13-16)  Even we as postmodern-day believers are referred to in the Bible as “pilgrims.”  We, however, are much more accustomed to using that term in reference to that early band of Christians who sailed to our shores in hopes of preserving their religious liberty and their spirituality, which had been so at risk in their worldly surroundings in Europe.  Even though the Pilgrim separatists had fled to Holland to escape religious persecution in England in the 1600’s, what they found in the town of Leiden did not long satisfy them as a welcome substitute.  It was admittedly a better situation than the immediate threat to their safety and security that they had faced in England, but it was far from ideal.  They began to fear for the spiritual well-being of their youth in such a worldly culture.  Even if their older generations remained firm and faithful, if they were to lose their youth to a strong idolatrous influence they would fail to fulfill their mission as a Christian people called to spread the kingdom of God.  It was this sober realization that prompted them to set out in waves to settle in the New World where they would be more free to establish a dominant culture themselves, one that would accurately reflect their Christian convictions.  It is better understood today that Christopher Colombus' voyage more than a hundred years earlier was heavily funded by Spanish Jews who were seeking at least in part to escape the Spanish Inquisition.  So both movements toward the New World were driven by the need and desire for safe haven from conditions of persecution and corruption.

My purpose in this article is not to detail what happened upon reaching these shores, we are acquainted in different degrees with what took place. In general, they were successful, at least initially, in producing a more wholesome environment for their youth and hence for themselves in which to grow as believers and to advance their faith.  Our presence here now as people of faith is proof and testament of that.  Though not perfect there is perhaps no better record in our brief history of two races cooperating than the Pilgrims did with the Native Americans who preceded them and assisted them, without whom they no doubt wouldn’t have survived.

What I want to call particular attention to here though is the self purifying process that went on even after a remnant of separatists left England and escaped immediate persecution.  They recognized a more subtle threat and it was the worldly enticement of the environment in Leiden.  They could have embraced the physical comforts available to them and accommodated to the sin they saw around them, taking their chances with the negative influences, but they didn’t.  At least there was a remnant that was willing to let go of a softer life style out of their love for the Lord and their love of their own children and concern for their welfare.  They were willing to venture out into the unknown with their God relying on His promises and His Word.  This self purifying drive and desire is what is required of each and every new generation of “pilgrims and sojourners” as the Bible calls us who strive to follow Jesus Christ.  We don’t have to sail for and set foot on a new continent physically and geographically as our forefathers did, but we of necessity be occupying new territory spiritually if we want to remain true to our God.  We too must continually be turning to God away from the impulses and pressures of our lower nature and away from the corruptions in all forms of media to hear that still small voice and to shine more as more through our deeds and conduct in the gathering darkness. This does not mean of course that we forsake all contact and use of media including social media.  Did not young students make strategic use of the printing press during the days of the 16th century, for purposes of great reformation? In fact, God is teaching and will teach us today how to use the aforementioned media to His kingdom purpose and for His glory and advantage. But sill, as the term “pilgrim” implies, we are just passing through these parts toward a better and eternal destination, and the best is therefore yet to come!