Monday Musings

The Art of Sojourning: Embracing the Journey of Now

As we step into another week, I invite you to pause and ponder the art of sojourning. Often, we perceive a sojourn as a mere pause in our journey, a transient stay as we move towards a more permanent destination. However, to sojourn is not just to pause but to engage with the present actively. It is an opportunity to hold fast to our position and our faith and to truly become one with the Spirit and the essence of who we are.

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Scripture reminds us that life is a journey filled with these temporary stays. The Israelites sojourned in Egypt and the desert, a crucial time for their transformation and growth (Exodus 12:40). It was not a period of idle waiting; it was active preparation to fulfill God's promises. As sojourners, we are invited to live in this same anticipation and preparation, as stated in Hebrews 11:13-16, where the faithful "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

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But what does it mean to sojourn in our modern context? In our careers, personal development, and spiritual lives, sojourning can be seen as a strategic positioning. It is in these moments of "active waiting" that we often encounter our most significant growth. We learn resilience, patience, and the profound truth of Ephesians 2:10 — that we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works."

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To sojourn is to allow and to be. It is to live with intention, even with uncertainty. In the stillness of our sojourn, we find clarity and purpose. We cultivate the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

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As you embark on this week, consider the places where you are sojourning. Are you actively waiting and engaging with the present, or are you simply passing the time? Remember, a sojourner is not just a traveler passing through. A sojourner makes each temporary space a place of growth and each moment an opportunity to live in the fullness of who they are called to be.

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So, let us sojourn with purpose. Let us embrace the journey of now with the full assurance that we are moving in divine timing, creating a meaningful impact wherever we are placed. After all, each moment weaves into the fabric of our unfolding story; it is not just the destination but the moments along the way that create a story of faith, hope, and love.

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As you reflect on your sojourn, I encourage you to share your insights and experiences. How has "active waiting" shaped your path? How have you found purpose in the pauses of life? Your journey is unique, and your story is an integral part of the collective narrative we all share.

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I am Rita Lynn Berry,?Embracing The Journey That Is Now