by Greg Broyles

Know Yourself

News flash: The world didn’t change while we were at Pilgrimage! There is still all the muck that was there on Friday. Mondays are often hard, but especially after Pilgrimage. One of the Pilgrims, Chris, commented Sunday morning that she was “home sick”. She realized she had to go home today, and it made her sick! It’s hard to come back down off the mountain, isn’t it? But take heart – even though the world didn’t change while we were gone, we did!

Coming into this weekend at Pilgrimage, I thought I knew myself. However, being in the presence of God continually changes who we are. As the weekend progressed, I could more easily hear God speaking to me. I know God loves me, no doubt, but He seemed to show me more deeply the depth of that love throughout the weekend. Isn’t that just like God, to constantly surprise us with joy as He shows Himself more fully to us?

On Friday night, we were challenged to think about the voices which attempt to define who we are – the voice of man, satan, and God. I hope you took that seriously and have been honest with yourself in answering that question. I truly believe that as the weekend went on, many of your faces changed. The sternness, weariness, brokenness, and seriousness were replaced with smiles, twinkling eyes, and a peculiar radiance. I can’t help but believe that was due to your listening to the voice of God. I mean, let’s be honest – He was shouting at us!

Know this … you are loved! You are valued! You are seen! You are known! As good as Pilgrimage was, it’s nothing in comparison to what God has in store for those who “know” Him and love Him. Heaven is going to be a hoot!

God loves you,
Greg