Hebrews 1:10-12 (NKJV)
And:
“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
I just returned from my annual sojourn in the vast Rocky Mountains. Sojourn… what a great word. It means a temporary stay. Nearly every fall since 2003 I have been blessed with the opportunity to sojourn in the Rocky Mountains and pursue game. I stay, temporarily, then return to my home and my day to day life.
This year marked the fifth year that I have hunted the same area in Utah. It has been interesting for me to witness the changes in this area over that time… trees that have toppled, paths that have faded, new ones that have appeared, change in stream flow and course, variations in vegetation, the difference in four legged inhabitants and how they use their domain. Seeing this landscape but once a year, aides in my ability to easily discern the differences marked by time.
As stated in chapter 1 of Hebrews, this is God’s creation, His workmanship, and yet it ages, perishes. It’s temporary, as are we, but God is eternal, never fading, aging or perishing.
Throughout scripture, we see the term sojourn, or its equivalent, repeated over and over again. We see it as a mark of time, residency for people to a specific locale. It always implies a temporary place for them, a place for now, but not a place of permanence. I love going to the Rockies. I love back packing in, spike camping, the peace, solitude, immersion in nature and His immense creation, communion with God. However, as much as I enjoy it, I know I am but a sojourner there. My place is at home, raising and loving on my family. My place is at the work God prepares for me, in stewardship over the ministry He has placed in my charge. So, I sojourn, am grateful for the respite, then return home and resume my place in the order that is my life.
Though ever so small in scale, this image paints a vivid representation of our temporal life on earth. We are but sojourners on this earth, in this life. Though we love it here, are grateful for the gift, we know, at least I see more and more all the time, this is not where we belong. It is a temporary stay. Our home is with our Father. Though I love the mountains and the adventurous solitude, there’s always something to be said for coming home. So, like my annual sojourn in the great Rocky Mountains, I will endeavor to make the most of this temporary stay, but look forward with eager anticipation to the day my Father calls me home to sojourn no more. Have a blessed weekend.
John 14:1-4 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
