set⋅tler  [set-ler, -l-er]
–noun
1. a person or thing that settles.
2. a person who settles in a new country or area.

pil⋅grim  [pil-grim, -gruhm]
–noun
1. a person who journeys, esp. a long distance, to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion: pilgrims to the Holy Land.
2. a traveler or wanderer, esp. in a foreign place.

We all know that this life on earth is temporary.

We know it, but we don’t live like it. We live like we are going to be here forever. It isn’t almost as if we expect to somehow be the exception to this little thing called death. Like Settlers, we have become overly concerned with how to fortify ourselves so we can stay put, rather than be Pilgrims positioning ourselves to move out and move on.

A Settler thinks, “this is my home!”.

A Pilgrim thinks “I am on my way home!”.

When God speaks a Settler says:

How is this going to affect ME?
How much time will it take ME?
How much will it cost ME?
When I can I do what God wants ME to do so I can get back to my normal routine?

When God speaks a Pilgrim says:

God what is it that YOU want?
Please God, give me YOUR strength!
God give me YOUR help!
God give me YOUR perspective!
God, I am not sure I get it or understand it, but I am here to serve YOU.

Settlers focus on themselves. Pilgrims focus on God. Settlers are enamored with earth. Pilgrims are looking to heaven. Settlers build their own homes. Pilgrims are waiting for the home God is building for them.

So…are you a Settler or a Pilgrim?

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
-Ps. 84:5