Everyday Stars: Pilgrims
Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly;and David said:
'Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in Heaven and in Earth is Yours;
Yours is the Kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as Head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your Hand is power and might;
In Your Hand it is to make great,
And to give strength to all.
Now therefore, our God,
We thank You,
And praise Your glorious Name.
But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
For we are aliens and pilgrims before You.'
1 Chronicles 29:10-15 (NKJV)
In this world, everyday stars are pilgrims. A pilgrim is 'a person who undertakes a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion; any wayfarer' (World English Dictionary).
A journey where? Out of our comfort zones.
Such as? Hollywood! Or anywhere beyond the familiar, beyond the door of life as we know it… for life as our Lord and Captain show it.
Consider David. In this heroic king’s last speech before passing the throne to his son, Solomon. The man ‘After God’s Own Heart’ praises God… then sums up our role with these simple words:
'We are aliens and pilgrims before You.'
Consider Noah. His incredible pilgrimage began by building an ark nowhere near water. Leaving his comfort zone brought salvation… for him, his family (and even us).
Consider Abraham. His pilgrimage began by following an unknown God into an unknown land at the unusual age of 80. Leaving his comfort zone brought salvation… for him, his family (and even us).
For both men, God expanded their borders:
'Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you' (Genesis 13:14-17).
In truth, EVERY Bible hero left life as he knew it for life as God drew it.
Each became a pilgrim and pioneer, opening paths for others to follow.
Actors, models and talent for Christ: This is YOUR commission from Jesus Christ: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 28:19).
God will bless you BEYOND your biggest dreams… when your whole 'Heart is set on pilgrimage' (Psalm 84:5).
Therefore, PILGRIMAGE… is an attribute of everyday stars.
Everyday Stars: (Part 10)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.