A Spiritual Pilgrimage

 

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations." - Psalm 90:1 ESV

Visiting the Church of my ancestors was something I'd thought and prayed about for years. I pondered about the Lord being our dwelling place in every generation of my family. While praying the Lord's Prayer early one mourning, the thought occurred to me that this prayer was prayed by those of my family who preceded me:

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." - Matthew 6: 9 - 13 KJV

Suddenly, I felt a spiritual connection to my family's past. It's not about ancestor worship - it's about my spiritual heritage. For two thousand years - generations of believers have prayed the same prayer.  

 

My Anglican ancestors were from Farhem, England - a small town near the English Channel. I prayed and had peace to make a spiritual pilgrimage there. As followers of Jesus, we are all on a spiritual journey here on earth until we see Jesus face to face. With my heart set on visiting my ancestor's medieval Church. I longed to encounter the same Presence they had experienced in the same place.  

It was a way of connecting with my spiritual roots. And to honor those who came before me and passed down the faith I cherish today. God no longer dwells in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24) but in the hearts of all believers. The Scripture says that we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). Those believers who are in Heaven now.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you. - Psalm 84: 1-4 NIV

5 

  I visited the parish of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Fareham - in a way - it felt like home. On the following Sunday, I worshiped at Westminister Chapel in London. I was deeply moved by Paslm 84: 5, which speaks of pilgrimage to the house of the LORD. Our family name was originally Sparrowhawk. Over time, it was abbreviated to Sparks. I was encouraged as I saw the overhead graphic. 

The message to me was simple: Be audacious in pursuing the presence of God. And be faithful to share the faith with the next generation.

God Moments:

A few months ago during prayer, I saw a random picture (in my mind) of a Union Jack. It seemed God was impressing me to pray for England's spiritual condition. 

My son and I felt God's favor and the Spirit's leading on the trip. We always seemed to be at the right place at the right time.

 I was able to pray over four different people. And explain the simple Gospel to a confused man. I used the approach of what C.S. Lewis referred to as "Mere Christianity." 

While there are different views of what theologians call secondary doctrines, I focused on the meaning of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The simple yet profound Gospel.