Sojourn, in the context of the Bible, can refer to a temporary residence in a place other than one’s permanent home. Throughout the Bible, God calls his followers to embark on sojourns for spiritual discipline, gospel witness, and many other reasons. The Hebrew word for sojourn (גָּלַעַד, Gal’al) appears in the Scriptures about 170 times, usually in the context of wandering, living abroad or living among strangers.
The earliest example of a sojourn in the Bible comes when Abraham is called by name by God to leave his home and family and travel to an unfamiliar land. This journey marks the beginning of the sojourn that characterizes the people of God throughout the Biblical narrative. In fact, the metaphor of sojourn is used throughout the Bible: in the call of Jacob to go to Egypt, in the Exodus of the Jewish people, and in the wise men’s visit to Christ in Bethlehem. In all of these cases, sojourn is an act of faith, an obedience to God and a sign of a people’s trust in him.
Throughout the Old Testament, sojourn also refers to God’s relationship with his people. Israel is a sojourning nation in the sense that it does not belong to the land where it lives, and it must constantly remember that the Lord’s protection and hospitality are essential for its growth and success. The sojourns of Israel are punctuated by God’s commandments and the Israelites’ faithfulness. God’s presence and covenant with them do not depend on their place in the world, but rather upon their ongoing faithfulness.
In the New Testament, Jesus taught that sojourn was not only a physical journey, but also a spiritual pilgrimage. When Jesus called his disciples to follow him, he called them to sojourn with him. He also asked them to remain faithful and ever-ready to leave one place in favour of a destitution to which they have never been. For Christians, sojourn is a journey in which they must remain faithful to their calling and obedient to Christ’s commands. The Bible teaches that when we are obedient, God will be faithful and will never leave us.
The Bible speaks of many kinds of sojourns, including voluntary sojourns, involuntary sojourns, and pilgrimages for special occasions. An example of a voluntary sojourn is when Abraham travels to Egypt with his wife and servants, as God commanded him to do. An example of an involuntary sojourn is when Jacob and his family are expelled from their home and relocate in a strange land. And an example of a sojourn used for special occasions is when the wise men take the journey to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Throughout the Bible, sojourn is described as a journey in which we rely on the Lord’s protection and guidance. It calls us to take steps of faith, to be obedient to God, and to live out the calling he has placed on our lives. Sojourn is a reminder that no matter how far we travel from our home, God’s love and presence will never be far from us.
Living Outside of Comfort Zone
The Bible urges us to be willing to step out of our comfortable zones and sojourn for the glory of God. Going on an involuntary sojourn enables us to take a leap of faith in trusting the Lord despite feeling homelessness, uncertainty, and even fear. Intentionally searching for God’s presence in any circumstance allows us to discover the beauty of trusting God and the purpose He has for us in the journey. Sojourning is a process of faith-filled surrendering when we take the journey with our eyes focused on God and not on our own understanding.
Obeying Christ’s command to “go into all the world” can be difficult but incredibly rewarding when we do. We often fear the unknown and feel unsure of God’s presence and direction. Yet, when we sojourn with God, the journey is filled with new perspectives, experience and relationships that can serve as a source of comfort and peace despite the uncertainty.
In many cases, we can experience the joy of sojourning by willing to take a missional trip and to reach out to foreign lands. We can offer assistance, friendship and love to those in need and can reach out in faith to those places we would never think of visiting. Most of all, we can be a living demonstration of the transformative power of Jesus.
God will never call us to a place we are not prepared to handle. Although He will stretch and test our faith, He will never leave us alone on the journey and will never lead us astray. So, if God is calling you to take a sojourn, trust Him and don’t be afraid to take the next step.
Memories of the Sojourn
The Lord’s presence and leading will always be remembered during any sojourn. Reflection on past sojourns can be a great source of comfort. When looking back, think about any spiritual lessons you took away from your experience. As we review our sojourns, it is a great opportunity to thank God for His leading, protection, and provision.
God often has different purposes in mind for each of us when He calls us to sojourn. We may never fully understand why we were sojourning in the first place. However, we can always walk away from our sojourn with a deeper understanding of our relationship to God and of His call on our lives. Even if we find ourselves in a situation that is unlike any we’ve ever faced before, our sojourn can be a powerful reminder of God’s goodness, grace and mercy.
Whenever we experience sojourn, we must remember that God’s protection and promises are always with us. That God is always there, even in the most difficult times. The psalmist wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). No matter the type of sojourn, the experience can be intimidating and difficult. But even in times of uncertainty, God is with us, providing comfort and direction in times of need.
Carrying on with Sojourning
Our lives are full of various sojourns, including some that we don’t choose. We can trust God to meet us where we are at and renew us for the journey. To never forget the realities of our sojourns, we can use physical reminders to give us courage and remind us of our purpose. We can ask the Lord for strength and guidance as we face the uncertainties of life and continue to persevere on His path.
The Scriptures invite us to keep in mind the impact of our individual sojourns. Our sojourns, even if we do not recognize it, can have an impact on others. Reflecting on our own sojourns can help us recognize the spiritual needs of those around us and how we can better serve them. We can be reminded of how our own sojourns have been made easier by the grace and loving-kindness of God, and respond with that same grace and love to those around us.
We can pray that God softens our hearts and minds to the difficulties and uncertainty of life. We can, with our prayers, remember the sojourners all around us, the ones in our own backyards and around the world. We can pray for their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, asking God’s Spirit to bring comfort, peace, joy and hope throughout their journeys.
Connecting Through Sojourning
Oftentimes, through sojourning, we can encounter people and places that are quite different from what we are used to, or what we expect. It is here, at this place of unfamiliarity, that God can bring us together in unimaginable ways and equally unimaginable connections. He can provide us the opportunity to explore and meet those who are different from us and to recognize that each of us brings an invaluable contribution to the beauty and richness of God’s kingdom.
God can work through us in our sojourning to display His transforming love, grace and mercy in the most unlikely of places. We can meet people in unexpected places that are in great need of love, peace, support and even security. As we are open and willing to sojourn, we can be conduits through which God displays the fullness of His amazing love in the most unexpected of places.
We are invited to reflect on our own sojourns and the unique trials, struggles and blessings that come with it. We can look back at our journey as a reminder that God has protected and provided for us continually and will continue to do so no matter what sojourn we are on. We can be faithful and obedient to the Lord’s calling and go on the journey of sojourn with the assurance of God’s faithfulness and provision.
In the End of Sojourn
At the end of each sojourn, we can trust that the journey is never wasted, and we can give thanks for the far lasting impact that our sojourning has had in our lives. We can walk away from our tour of duty in some foreign place with a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty of both our homeland and the place that was once foreign to us. Our sojourn can awaken within us a greater love for those who are different and can lead us to a deeper appreciation of the Lord’s presence, love, and mercy.
As we look back on our previous sojourns, we can still find the care and grace of our heavenly Father that has sustained us through it all. We can serve as an example of His faithfulness and as a reminder to those we have had the privilege of meeting that He is a God who is ever-present, who is faithful and whose love never fails.
The beauty of our sojourn is that it can lead us to appreciate Him and the gifts He has given us in a very special way – one that we would not be able to access without it. Therefore, let us embark on new sojourns, living fully in the hope that we can proclaim the good news of the gospel in each corner of this world and bring glory to His great name.
