An example of a Wayfaring Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage in which you explore much further abroad
Establish a destination that has significance for you. Normally this would be a place at some distance from your current locality, requiring at least one overnight stay, along the route or at the destination
In this example of a Wayfaring Pilgrimage, the steps are laid out sequentially but this is only a guide or framework. The steps can be used flexibly, according to need and preference.
Dave Smith and members of his family undertook a wayfaring pilgrimage together to the Isle of Iona in the Scottish Hebridian islands. This page provides an account of Dave’s experiences.
[1] Holy Longing
“Examine yourselves” - 2 Corinthians 13.5
The pilgrim journey begins with new thoughts or experiences that are in some way challenging, or a desire to examine previous thoughts or experiences.
Yearning - ask yourself, what is the 'holy longing' or 'restless searching' that is prompting you, personally, to make a pilgrim journey?
For Dave, the ‘longing’ came as a consequence of a concept he found whilst working through a book called “Landmarks” by Margaret Silf. This is a meditative book, written to help individuals explore and deepen their relationship with God.
Within the book, he encountered the concepts of God immanent and God transcendent. Very loosely, the former relates to the indwelling God, while the latter includes God’s presence in the world about us. These ideas were further developed in the book, prompting a desire to explore them yet more fully.
Identify a suitable destination.
Dave had often expressed a desire to visit the Isle of Iona and his family volunteered to facilitate it by booking a cottage on the island of Mull, with view to visiting Iona. Iona is famous for its Christian community, the foundation of which goes back to the very early days of Christianity in the British Isles. The concept of a spiritual ‘thin place’ originated here, when the community was re-established after the First World War. As well as the island itself, there are many attractions of Mull itself.
For more information about Iona see this website. For more on the the Iona Community, a Christian ecumenical community, visit the Community’s website.
Plan the practicalities of your day, just as you would for a holiday of any kind.
With regard to the the practical arrangements for the journey, Dave's family did the bulk of the planning. Transport was provided by their Toyota Hilux which, as well as having a four-seated cab, has a truck-like back which is ideal for carrying luggage. This not only accommodated clothes and provisions, it also enabled us to take our bicycles. This was very much appreciated, as it enabled Dave to take his modified recumbent trike which has been a boon since having a stroke.
The planned itinerary was to depart from our home in Church Crookham on the Friday morning and drive to Glasgow. After an overnight stay there we planned to drive though the Highlands to the ferry port of Oban, then to cross to the Isle of Mull and drive to our accommodation, a self-catering holiday cottage at Pennyghael. This would be base to visit Iona, as well as locations on Mull itself.
An early ferry was booked for the following Saturday, to enable the return to Hampshire to be completed within a day..
Scripture - Identify the issue that is of significance to you, together with a relevant passage of Scripture to explore.
In pursuit of all of this Psalm 19 was chosen for meditation and study, with the following verses being illustrative of the two key concepts:
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” verse 1, transcendence
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” verse 14, immanence
The following pattern was used when reading the passage:
Read - slowly read the passage into which you wish to journey
Think - about what you are reading, focusing on each part of the passage
Re-read - the passage several times
Listen - be attentive to God in the silence, constantly listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit.; see if a word or phrase is particularly relevant for you
The next three stages, ending with the Servant Response, took place during the ensuing week-long time away. This is simply Dave’s experience on this occasion. How long you spend will vary with how you feel led, opportunity and circumstances.
[2] Pilgrim Journey
“Set your heart on pilgrimage” - Psalm 84.5
This is the step where you review and reflect on your thoughts and experiences. In particular, look for anything new or perhaps inconsistent with previous experience and understanding.
Journey - Keep yourself alive to the ideas, impressions and experiences you encounter and receive..
The actual journey began early on the Friday morning, making the long motorway journey up to overnight accommodation in Glasgow. What can be said about a long motorway journey? It was long, on a motorway; it was a journey. We were stuck in heavy traffic around Birmingham, which was not very romantic or very original. More positively, we did enjoy some very attractive scenery through the Chilterns on the M40 for example, also through the Lake District on the M6.
This second day very much more scenic, past Loch Lomond, through the Scottish Highlands and across to Mull on the ferry.
Companionship - Maintain an awareness of God as your companion on the journey, as well as any friends who may accompany you.
There was the companionship of the road, which was good, as we talked about the impending holiday, and the sense of travel and adventure. As a child I used to travel up from my home in Dover to my grandparents in West Hartlepool in County Durham. In the late 50s and early 60s it seemed unbelievably remote and exotic. Now we were passing though lands well to the north of all the Hartlepools. Even as an adult my 60s, this realization still gave me frisson of excitement!
Meditate - At convenient and appropriate places during your journey, make time to meditate on your chosen Scriptures.
The journey gave some opportunities to meditate upon the chosen Scriptures and on the transcendent and immanence of God, although in reality, this practice this was actually started in the period preceding the journey itself.
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19.1
According to Christian theology the transcendent God cannot be approached or seen in essence or being, although to some extent he can be appreciated through His creation. The countryside and seascape we encountered were very conducive to this.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19.14
God becomes immanent primarily through and the incarnate Jesus the Christ and through the indwelling Holy Spirit. To what extent are the meditations of my heart prompted by, and pleasing to, God within me? This becomes very challenging to examine yourself see to what extent head knowledge drops a foot into the heart.
We were blessed with superb weather during our week on Mull and during our visits to Iona. Over a few days, both indoors and without, there were many opportunities to prayerfully consider the chosen topic.
Certainly, I was able to give thanks for this opportunity to recognise the transcendent God, as the Psalmist had done centuries before. The combination of superb accommodation, the stunning scenery and the sense of place all combined came together in a very powerful way.
A sense of thankfulness arose as I realised that we have been blessed in the time and circumstances of this place. In its turn, this provoked a sense of God immanent and of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to whom that praise is directed. The two concepts thus run together, each informing the other.
[3] Prayerful Arrival
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” - Romans 12.2
Your reflections on the journey become formulated into definite ideas and prayers. Draw conclusions from your experiences and reflections, forming new thoughts or modifying existing concepts.
Arrival - Once you have arrived at your destination, pause and take stock of your recent experiences. This is the place to which ultimately you have been journeying; the value of the place rests in the fact that the anticipation will help us dwell and rest in the presence of God. It becomes a ‘thin place’, a place where heaven and earth are close.
Abide in God - Spend time dwelling and resting in the presence of God
Pray - Speak to God about your recent journey, reflecting back what you have discovered during your meditation
Give thanks for all that has been shown to you along the way
Confess - Recognise the thoughts that may have led you astray
Entreat - Ask God to give you the wisdom and courage to enter into all he has been showing you. Pray that you will receive blessing through the transformed ideas and memories that your reflection on his Word has awakened.
On the island of Iona there are many places that lend themselves to becoming a ‘thin place’ (for more on 'thin places' see explorefaith's page "Where can I touch the edge of heaven?"), for example, within the Abbey buildings themselves, at crosses or places such as the Hill of Angels. But my favourites proved to be The Bay at The Back of The Ocean. Time and circumstances came together to make it a thin place for me on this occasion, ‘dwelling and resting in the presence of God’.
[4] Servant Response
“Love one another” - John 13.34
The practical application of what you have learnt from your pilgrimage through the Scriptures. Prompted by what you have learnt on your journey, commit to appropriate areas of service in God’s Kingdom.
The Return - You begin to reflect on this on your journey home, as well as at home itself.
Decide how you will respond to the insights received during your pilgrimage.
Review your resources
It may be useful to discuss your promptings with other people; this can be particularly helpful to test the legitimacy of what you have been hearing
Decide if there is something specific to do
Plan to put into practice your new understanding
Be prepared to hear the call to further journeys
The return journey, as a journey, was relatively uneventful. The ferry that took us back to the mainland was on time and there were no significant hold-ups on the motorways. However, I had an immense amount to reflect upon as a consequence from our shared week in the Hebrides. I realised that I had only just begun to appreciate the scope of the two concepts I had been exploring. In some ways, however, on this occasion, further planning was already catered for as I was already committed to continue meditating on the book “Landmarks”, the contents of which had already prompted the mediations of this pilgrimage. It was a great privilege to have had this memorable experience as part of the ongoing journey.
