Are You a Tourist or a Pilgrim?
- Dr. Lynn Hardaway
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
June/July 2025
Eugene Peterson, in his seminal book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, describes “decision-only” Christians as tourists who drop in to see the sights, then check out and go back to normal life. They want shortcuts to spiritual maturity, results now, with the least amount of time and trouble, and, like sightseers, they only want the new and unfamiliar, whether it is a personality or truth or experience. No drudgery or difficulties or discomfort can accompany their discipleship, or they will bolt out the door in search of a softer way of following Jesus.
Our teaching and preaching of the gospel need to address the “rootlessness” of this kind of Christian life; always looking for the exciting and novel rather than settling down and building a life of depth and spiritual substance.
Pastors are not called to be tour guides but pilgrimage directors, teaching people to spend their lives journeying toward someplace significant and eternal; convincing them that the only way to spiritual growth involves patient and determined obedience.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24 NKJV)
Dr. Lynn Hardaway
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