by Kurt Maerschel

The year has come to an end. The frantic days of Christmas are behind us. The relatives and friends were fed and presented with gifts. Now the new year is here and with it many of us think what has been in 2018 and what will be coming in 2019.

Taking stock in the “success” or “failure” of the past year is pretty common for us humans. After a “bad” year we want to think: “The next year can only be better.” and after a “good” year we think: “This was a great year; I can’t wait to see what the next year has in stock for me.” In reality we never know what the next year will bring. Sometimes a “bad” year might be followed by a “worse” year. At other times, when we don’t have hope of things going better, we are surprised by things we never expected to happen and the year might turn out to be wonderful.

I have been through all of these scenarios, and I am sure pretty much everyone who is reading this has been there as well. But if we don’t know what is going to happen in the future, what is it then we ought to focus on?

A very good friend of mine reminded me recently of the concept of viewing life as a “pilgrimage.” In this metaphor the pilgrimage does not only consist of easy travelling experiences but is characterized by the struggles such as bad weather, difficult terrain, storms, rain, heat, drought, falls and setbacks. For the pilgrim, these hardships are an integral part of the journey and help him/her to reach the sacred center he or she seeks. In our life journey these hardships, which are largely outside of our control, can serve to strip the ego of the illusion that it is in charge and make space for the true self to emerge. If we approach our life journey with this realization in mind we can use the curveballs life throws at us to truly discover ourselves. This is usually not an easy undertaking, but it is often accompanied with experiences of high stress, sleepless nights, uncertainty, loneliness, depression, doubts and fear.

Unfortunately, some people will never overcome these feelings and will be broken through these experiences. Others will become bitter and cynical, never to be reconciled with the world around them. I myself have been at these crossroads and can attest to the difficulty in navigating these stretches of our lives. But if this is all so difficult, how can we ever navigate the pilgrimage of our lives? you might ask.

It is through the eternal love of Jesus Christ which enables us to make it through these trying times. While we don’t know what the next year will bring, we do know as children of God that Jesus’ love for us is without limit, neither in space or time. If we are desperate and ask for comfort, it will be given. This is what we can know with absolute certainty about our future. This is the message I want to leave with you as we set out into this new year of 2019.

Psalm 136
God’s Work in Creation and in History

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
 for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 O give thanks to the God of gods,
 for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 who alone does great wonders,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

5 who by understanding made the heavens,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

6 who spread out the earth on the waters,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

7 who made the great lights,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

8 the sun to rule over the day,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 who struck Egypt through their firstborn,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

11 and brought Israel out from among them,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

13 who divided the Red Sea in two,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;

16 who led his people through the wilderness,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 who struck down great kings,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

18 and killed famous kings,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

20 and Og, king of Bashan,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

21 and gave their land as a heritage,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

22 a heritage to his servant Israel,
 for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

24 and rescued us from our foes,
 for his steadfast love endures forever;

25 who gives food to all flesh,
 for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 O give thanks to the God of heaven,
 for his steadfast love endures forever.

One last footnote from Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak: “If you make good experiences on your pilgrimage, share thanks for them with the Lord as well. Jesus wants to be part of your entire life and celebrate the joys with you as much as he is always with you during the dark episodes of your life.” Fort hose of you who can’t get enough of the Psalms, please read Psalm 18. It is another one of my favorite Psalms and carried me through dark times.

If you have questions about this article or need guidance on your pilgrimage, please feel free to talk to me in person, by email or by phone: kurt@kpumc.org or 972-835-1909.