Kingdom Citizens Are Pilgrims

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

I recall when my first daughter, Ashley, was born. My wife and I were both just 22 years of age and lacking maturity and financial stability. Amid the joy, fears, and unknowns, we both understood that a new season of life had begun. The experience of becoming parents was emotionally draining and the idea of raising a family was a daunting one. Amid all the uncertainty, we were certain that God was faithful and that we could trust that he would be an active participant in our journey. The Lord never disappointed us! Thirty-three years later, two additional children and two grandchildren, we glance back and marvel at the faithfulness of our Lord. His presence was evident throughout every tear and in every moment of laughter.

As my wife and I begin a new season of life and ministry, we find ourselves encountering new kinds of fears and unknowns. When our president, Dr. Greg Williams, first approached me with the invitation to become the vice president of our fellowship, my initial reaction was one of hesitancy. Although my heart has always been willing to positively respond to God’s calling, the proposition required that we work out of the home office and move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Los Angeles has always been home for our family, and the prospect of moving was not something that had been in the proverbial cards. Perhaps our attachment to what we called “home” was an unhealthy one, or the idea of being separated from our children was just too overwhelming.

While meditating on the unknowns and what lies ahead, I was reminded of the passage in 1 Samuel where Samuel erects a memorial stone he called “Ebenezer” to serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Samuel had cried out for the Lord’s intervention while the Israelites were besieged by the Philistines at Mizpah. After the Lord miraculously intervened and saved the Israelites, Samuel erected the memorial stone.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 NRSVUE

Ebenezer is not just a reminder of God’s past divine intervention, but also of God’s ongoing presence, faithfulness, and future providence. Although I did not erect a memorial stone, in that moment of meditation, I experienced what I call an Ebenezer moment. I was reminded that I can always trust in his faithfulness as I journey through my own fears and uncertainties.

This season of life has also reminded me that we are pilgrims, citizens in God’s kingdom. God is faithful in keeping the promises he has made to his Church. As we navigate through the “already but not yet” element of God’s kingdom, the Lord is not absent in our pilgrimage. Perhaps at times the journey may seem cloudy, but be assured that by the Spirit, his presence abides in us, and he is the one who is leading us through this pilgrimage. I invite you to pause for a moment and glance back, and perhaps you will identify a couple of Ebenezar moments in your own life.

As a kingdom citizen, my pilgrimage has now steered me to Charlotte and amid the chaos of moving and resettling in a new city, I concur with the words of Samuel, “Til now the Lord has helped us.”

Your fellow pilgrim,
Heber Ticas