Read: 1 Peter 1:1-9

What is a pilgrim? It is not someone traveling around aimlessly, with no home; we call them nomads. It is not someone travelling to escape a country; we call them refugees. A pilgrim is someone who is travelling to a certain place. Pilgrims are focused on where they are heading. They look forward to getting there. Nothing along the way should take their focus off their destination.

Peter says that we as Christians, as God’s children, are pilgrims. So where do you think we are heading? Where should all our attention be focused? Yes, we’re heading toward eternal life. The new heaven and new earth are our future so that is where our focus should be. Nothing should distract us from this focus.

This is such a beautiful thing to look forward to. God, in his grace, gives us such a rich future. We will one day live with him forever. Peter calls this our inheritance. Many things in this life fade away. Actually, everything in this life disappears or will one day disappear. But our inheritance, our future with the Lord will never fade away. It will never disappear. It is forever. It is certain.

But how do you know that you will receive this amazing future? Verse 5 tells us that we are kept by the power of God — God’s power! If it were up to us, we wouldn’t be focused on this future. But God keeps us. We are his children and so he is not going to let us go. See, he tells us that here in this passage.

So as a pilgrim, as you travel through this life on the way to eternal life with God, stay focused on God and on heavenly things. Don’t get caught up focusing on your toys, or your holidays or your games. Yes, you may certainly enjoy these things. But don’t make them the most important thing in your life. While you are enjoying these things, remember to serve and love God in all that you do.

Reflection with your child:

Why does Peter call Christians “pilgrims”?

Source: Sermon by Rev. H. Alkema