Pilgrimages have grown in popularity recently – maybe due to the annual Easter TV programme that follows seven celebrities over a couple of weeks as they walk a pilgrim route together exploring the chemistry between them and their relationship with their beliefs.
The closest I’ve been to a pilgrimage was on Bank Holiday Monday this year as I joined with 29,999 others, mostly wearing blue and white, to walk down to Christchurch Park.
A pilgrimage is about movement to a special place often at a special time wearing particular clothing. It’s about togetherness and common purpose. This was a secular journey, rather than a sacred one, but involved a review and reflection on the past and hope for the future. We sang and celebrated. Different ages and backgrounds, new fans and old, from all walks of life came together to celebrate the teams’ promotion to the premiership.
People were prepared to change their Bank Holiday plans, queue and wait. The council had organised barriers and road closures. Workers had been brought in from their holidays to instruct and keep us safe. Toilets and other amenities had been erected in the park. All that for a football team.
Are we prepared to go to such measures for the King of Kings? Is it a struggle to get up to go to church to celebrate His victory over sin? Are we so keen to change our plans to worship Him? Do we sing our worship songs as enthusiastically as the fans chant for their heroes? Do we anticipate the future as much as the ITFC fans look forward to the new season?
One day, every knee will bow to Jesus and celebrate His premiership – there will be no threat of going down after one season. Promotion will be absolute and we are invited to share in the celebrations. Will you be there?