Seth Barnes Oct 24, 2012 8:00 PM

Kingdom journey vs. pilgrimage - the difference

A friend asked me what the difference is between a kingdom journey and a pilgrimage. I see a pilgrimage as a kind of kingdom journey, one that is f...

Subscribe


A friend asked me what the difference is between a kingdom journey and a pilgrimage.

I see a pilgrimage as a kind of kingdom journey, one that is focused on travel that builds the kingdom within a person.

In contrast, a kingdom journey can be many things. It is a trip where you as a traveler see God build the kingdom inside you, often by building the kingdom outside you.

Those on a pilgrimage focus on what God is doing in them as they walk. For example, one of the most famous pilgrimages, The Way of St. James, in northern Spain, is a 500 mile trek from the Pyrenees Mountains in France to a cathedral where the apostle St. James is said to be buried.

Jesus' method was to build his disciples in their faith by asking them to spend time ministering to others. The point was not where you were going, but how you brought the kingdom of God as you went.

As such, kingdom journeys can seem riskier. As Jesus designed them in Luke 9 and 10, you set out without knowing where you were going, where you were staying, or how you'd be eating.

He designed kingdom journeys as an adventure in expanding your faith, bringing what you didn't possess to gain what no one could ever take away.

Have you been on a kingdom journey that looks like those Jesus designed? If not, why not ask him to send you on one? Everyone deserves to test God's goodness in that profound way at least once in their lives.

Comments


Comment created and will be displayed once approved.

Related Blogs

What's your worst journey?

What's your worst journey?

I'm at a Barnes family reunion in New Mexico. Last night at the supper table, so...

By Seth Barnes
The Matthew 10 Process For Getting to Intimacy

The Matthew 10 Process For Getting to Intimacy

Who doesn't want intimacy with God? Many people doubt that it's even possible, b...

By Seth Barnes
Why Do We Travel?

Why Do We Travel?

I was inspired to travel in part because I was born to a traveling family. My ...

By Seth Barnes

Related Races (3)

South Africa | Semesters | January 2026

South Africa | Semesters | January 2026

Guatemala | Semesters | June 2026

Guatemala | Semesters | June 2026

Alumni 10/40 Spring 2026 - Central Asia

Alumni 10/40 Spring 2026 - Central Asia

Next article

This is what wrecks me

Our AI generated post content for you!

Here's a suggested caption you can copy and tweak.