Do you have a Pilgrim Mindset?

As we enter the month of November, my mind automatically turns to the Pilgrims.

I live 20 minutes north of Plymouth, MA and am surrounded by their history.

I admire many things about them. Their hard work, persistence, convictions and thankfulness with so little. But there is one attitude that I admire the most and desire more and more for myself.  That is a “pilgrim mindset.”

A pilgrim mindset is “other worldly.” It does not set its hope and dreams on the earthly and flash-in-the-pan temporary. It sets it mind on things above.  It realizes that this world is just a lay over to a final destination.

I think women today, myself included, are prone to be caught up in the things right in front of them, instead of holding those things loosely and realizing they come from God’s hand. Our homes, our belongings, our children–we grasp and don’t want to let go. We forget the giver and crave the given. We make them our little gods.

Hebrews 11, the faith chapter tells us that the great men and women of faith were

“looking for a city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God,” and that they “acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland…they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.”

They had faith in God. They sought God and left all for Him.

Todays Christian woman does not do this.  She wants God plus ________–  You fill in the blank– (hint- you’ll know it in your own life by what you will sin to get. It may be respect, love, popularity, food, material good, etc. Whenever you are manipulating to make life work your way, you can be sure you are not resting in the sovereignty of God.)

Don’t get bogged down in this world. You should not feel comfortable here if you are a citizen elsewhere. And the sooner we realize that our identity is in Christ, and not in our homes, children,  social standing, peoples good opinion, or anything else, the sooner we will get serious about bearing His image. Instead of thinking selfishly and materially, we will, as my mother would say, “Look for what God is doing.”

So, whatever your situation is today, let me leave you with some “pilgrim mindset” quotes to help you:

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their heart on pilgrimage.”

“He must increase; I must decrease.”

“Jesus occupying more space in my life and me taking up less space means dying to self and living to righteousness: repentance and faith. There is no way around it. And dying to self is the hard part. We cannot die to what we have not recognized and our hearts are “deceitful above all things.” – Susan Hunt

“If there is one maverick molecule in all the universe, then God is not sovereign. And if God is not sovereign, He is not God.”  R.C. Sproul

“God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions.” – Westminster Shorter Catechism.

“He had surely benefitted greatly who has so learned to meditate upon God’s providence that he can always recall his mind to this point: the Lord has willed it; therefore it must be borne, not only because one may not contend against it, but also because he wills nothing but what is just and expedient. “ -Calvin



5 thoughts on “Do you have a Pilgrim Mindset?”

  • Sarah, Your wise beyond your years… God is blessing your faithfulness.
    Keep writing…Love you.

  • Sarah! Amazing so true very well spoken! Keep shining for HIM my friend! Yes, I am guilt of holding tight and not letting go! Thanks for the reminder!

  • Hey! I’m Angela from Hidden Treasures. I love this quote from your post today —-> “we grasp and don’t want to let go. We forget the giver and crave the given.” SO TRUE!! While I haven’t necessarily been craving things, very recently we had something happen that requires much faith from and in God. Your post helped me to remember that God is in control and He loves my children more than I do. He will do what’s best in our situation!! Very good post and I’d love to visit your area!! What a fantastic field trip that would be! Thanks for the post. ~ Angela

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