The title of this essay is a play on words.
Look closely. You will see there is no apostrophe in the first word Pilgrims, which means the word Progress that follows is a noun not a verb.
The word Prosperity has nothing to do with the world’s definition of material wealth.
I trust John Bunyan will graciously allow my twist on the name of his classic allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress.
What the title is designed to do is make the statement “Pilgrims Progress to Prosperity.” So, let’s break down the statement word by word.
Initially, let’s look at the term Pilgrims. In Christian circles, we know the term refers to Christians who are on the road that leads to a right relationship with God Almighty.
We are all on a journey, and our final destination will either be Heaven or Hell. Scripture speaks of both destinations.
Sadly, many feel there is no such place as Hell even though Christ Jesus spoke of it frequently.
The verb Progress deals with the path we choose to take as we go through life.
I know my journey was quite hazardous and filled with many poor decisions in my earlier years when I lived quite impulsively.
It wasn’t until Easter week 1984 that I finally realized a need to make a drastic change in the direction I was headed.
Since that pivotal event my life took a dramatic turn. The joy and peace of coming to know God personally became my passionate pursuit.
Now True Prosperity as I mentioned earlier is not the worldly wealth sought early in my life.
The prosperity I’ve been seeking ever since that life-changing experience in 1984 is purely spiritual in nature.
Throughout my life, God has abundantly provided for my needs and the needs of our family. He’s taken me on a somewhat tumultuous ride and I’ve fallen numerous times.
But, He’s always there to pick me up, and I sense His closeness through the many challenges faced.
These last years have been at times difficult, but I know I can trust in Him implicitly, as written in Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight.”
If you are not on that path to righteousness at present, I pray that you would ask the Creator of the Universe to demonstrate what you must personally do to get turned around (off the path that leads to destruction) before it’s too late.
Be patient in the process. On looking back to my salvation, I now see how He was working on me for years in softening my heart to the point where I could not resist His call to accept His invitation to follow Him eternally.
I can guarantee you that you will not regret following Christ Jesus and allowing Him to be your Savior and your Lord.
As told in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”