Blog#2--- Devotion

The definition of "Pilgrimage" from Dictionary.com "

a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion: a pilgrimage to Lourdes." 

The word, "devotion" sticks out to me. Even just the way it sounds speaks true dedication. What's that part of you that is so deep inside, and so vital to who you are, that you are truly devoted to it? 

Studying about William Bradford and the pilgrims made me start considering this question. 

  He came by a leap to the goal of purpose, not by the toilsome steps of reason. On the instant his headlong spirit declared his purpose: this was the one being for him in all the world: at this altar he would light a lamp of devotion, and keep it burning forever.
Gilbert Parker

The pilgrims were devoted to their walk with Christ. He was the largest, most characterizing part of their life and so they were truly devoted to being in a place where they could serve Him the best way they knew. Every single day of that journey they were relying on Him to get them through on it, and they were relying on each other.

I don't know whether everything William Bradford said about himself and the other pilgrims was true, but I honestly hope that it was. I love knowing that humans can stick it out through something like what the pilgrims did. 

I lose faith in humans a lot, but every once in awhile I come back to the fact that if tomorrow the entire world was thrown into chaos,  then so many people would take it one day at a time and their devotion would carry them through. 

*above is one of my all time favorite photographs, by Dorothea Lange.