When You Work for the Church

As people of faith, we’re on a journey—in and with the church, and beyond the church in whatever roles and responsibilities we might have in life. We journey with Jesus. We walk in the Spirit. We go with God.

In the Bible, Psalms 122 to 134 were written as songs for the journey to the temple in Jerusalem. The New International Version of the Bible calls them songs of “ascent,” to be recited or sung as people ascended to the temple that was built on a hill. The Common English Bible calls them “pilgrimage songs” as the people journeyed to the sacred space of the temple.

Along the way, the pilgrims would look to the surrounding hills and pray to God as their “help” and “protector” (Psalm 121). They rejoiced with other pilgrims (Psalm 122) and made their way through stormy weather (Psalm 124). They spent time reflecting on their life circumstances (Psalm 126), on the purpose and meaning of life (Psalm 127), on family and children and grandchildren (Psalm 128), on past attacks (Psalm 129), and past sins (Psalm 130). They meditate on the legacy of King David (Psalm 132), give thanks for the blessing of community (Psalm 133), and they, in turn, bless the Lord (Psalm 134).

The beauty and breadth of these psalms well express the pilgrim journey to the temple—and our own journey through life. As we are surrounded by daily challenges and literal and figurative storms, we, too, may pray to God as our help and protector. Like the ancient pilgrims, we may reflect on the purpose and meaning of life, on past and present experiences, on the legacy we have received from others and on the legacy we hope to pass on. Like them, we can rejoice over blessings and in turn, bless the Lord.

This October 24, I’ve been invited to lead a half-day workshop on writing as a spiritual journey. I’ll share some of my own journey:

• seeking God’s guidance and stepping out in faith,
• meeting distractions, detours, and roadblocks,
• learning from way stations of rest and renewal,
• and much more!

As part of the morning workshop, there will also be time for participants to reflect on their own journey, to engage in a creative prayer and writing practice, and to connect and share with other writers. The workshop is hosted by Surrey Christian Writers, which is part of the Word Guild. For more information and to register, please see Writing as a Spiritual Journey.

In writing and in life, whether you’re a staff member at a church or a volunteer, wherever your pilgrimage takes you, receive this blessing from Psalm 134:

All you who serve the Lord: bless the Lord right now!
    All you who minister in the Lord’s house at night: bless God!
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
    and bless the Lord!
May the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,
    bless you from Zion.