Pilgrims on the journey of life : the inner and the outer journey

By Greg Hughson. in Sermons

life is a pilgrimage of ongoing discovery of who we are and who God is, and what being on this planet is about.

Pilgrims on the journey of life : the inner and the outer
journey -
At our Mornington Fellowship AGM last Wednesday I shared a
reflection on Pilgrimage, based on an article by Valerie Roberts in the
latest edition of Refresh – Journal of Contemplative
Spirituality (Summer 2025) . Valerie writes that “Pilgrimage can be
many things. A geographical journey by foot or other mode of
transport with a spiritual or other focus. Or an inner journey…..”
A Christian pilgrimage is characterised by the life-long transformation
and learning that take place in us, both inwardly as well as outwardly.
John O'Donohue suggests that a human life should be a constant
journey, a pilgrimage of discovery. I agree. Life is an
ongoing discovery of who we are and who God is, and what being on
this planet is about. We never stop learning !
Our inner unseen human landscape intertwines with the outer
journey we know and see. In my life, I have moved many times. I was
born in Opunake, Taranaki, and then we moved to Napier for four
years before moving back to Hawera. After seven years there, I went
to University for three years at Massey University (Palmerston North)
followed by seven years in Hamilton, then three years in Auckland at
Theological College, followed by six years in Feilding, six years in
Gisborne, and now 26 years here in Dunedin. All these moves around
Aotearoa are a part of my geographical pilgrimage, part of my outer
journey.
Throughout these years, I have also been on an inner
pilgrimage/journey – my inner spiritual relationship with God has
grown and matured whilst transitioning from childhood to youth, to
young adulthood, to marriage, to parenthood, to ministry, to
University Chaplaincy, to grandparenthood, and now (unexpectedly ! )
to Parish superintendency. (until November 2027). My inner spiritual,
psychological and emotional journeys have been defined and guided
by my relationship with God. As I look back, I interpret both my outer
and inner journeys through the lens of my Christian faith. I see that
God has always been there and will never abandon me.
For the Baker family who have recently joined us, their geographical
pilgrimage to Aotearoa-NZ has been huge for them. Also, the Baker
family’s inner spiritual pilgrimages (and their faith in God) have been
stimulated and enriched by the beauty of our land, and the warmth of
the welcome they have received.
Being on a pilgrimage as a Christian involves a lifetime of deep
learning, a change (eventually) from doing to being, coming home to
our authentic selves and to a more holistic understanding and
experience of God. In particular, in the second half of life, we
can give ourselves permission to explore the world, and God in new
and creative ways, entering the “many tributaries of the river
estuary” (Valerie Roberts) where we can live more slowly and simply,
connect more deeply to creation, to each other - and find Christ
everywhere.
Rev Greg Hughson
Parish Superintendent