Book Review: The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster

First, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Foster's writing style. I am pleased to have discovered him and will read more of his books. Second, it is evident that he is passionate about and experienced with the subject matter of this book – Pilgrimage.

Foster says that we are built to wander. I'm not completely convinced that's true for all humans. However, I can definitely see the appeal and feel the urge for pilgrimage myself and I can agree that sometimes “settling” or “sitting still” is very detrimental to mankind. I just can't quite imagine what a world full of nomads would look like. And at times, it seems like that's what Foster is purporting, that the “ideal” way to live would be as a nomad. He says that God is a mover. “He can't keep still. And he has an alarmingly clear preference for people who can't keep still.” So of course, the scripture that immediately came to my mind was, “Be still and know that I am God,” from the 46^th psalm (which isn't the only place in scripture we are commanded to “be still.”) Then shortly after reading this, I came across this quote by Lao Tsu, “Stillness in stillness is not real stillness. Stillness in activity – that is real stillness.” Selah.

I think, and Foster alludes to the possibility, that we can live our lives with an attitude of wandering, especially when an actual, physical pilgrimage just isn't possible for a variety of reasons. After all, we are called to be in the world, but not of it. We are travelers here. (Anyone else remember the old Petra song, “Not of This World”?) We can experience the benefits – the adventure, the hardship, the suffering, the joy, the camaraderie – of pilgrimage without ever leaving home.

If an actual pilgrimage is possible – go for it! But if not, don't feel limited or lesser than in your faith. God is in control. He holds your life in His hands. If He feels you need to “hit the road,” then He will make a way. Not necessarily an “easy” way, but a way nonetheless.

Foster has lived it. He has taken the journeys and it's very apparent from his writing. I have to admit, reading this book temporarily created some discontent in me. I longed for the opportunity to experience pilgrimage the way he describes. It's just not in the cards for me at this point in my life. And that's okay. I gleaned some of the benefits of a pilgrimage just from reading the book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on “Thin Places.” He says, “The early Christian Celts spoke about 'thin places' – places where worlds (I would prefer to say dimensions') were particular close to each other. Places where, if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God.” And he goes on to talk about some specific places like Jerusalem, a chamber in France, Santiago, etc. I've never been to any of those places, but I have been to “thin places.” Maybe those “thin places” are different for each of us. Being outside in nature is almost always a thin place for me, and especially in Telluride, Colorado where I visit my brother and his family. (Yes, you could also say that it's a “thin place” because it's over 8,000 ft. in elevation!)

In Chapter 2, he talks about some of the “junk” that the Church needs to throw out. He quotes Phyllis Tickle (who happens to be the editor for this series and wrote the forward) who, “...noted that every few centuries the church needs to hold a rummage sale to clear out the accumulated rubbish...” One of the things he says we should “chuck out” is the name “Christian.” He says, “'Christian' has to go. We've wrecked the word.” I couldn't agree more.

If you're just curious about pilgrimage, or believe, as some do, that it's just not a necessary part of the Christian life in our day The Sacred Journey is a great read. If you are hungry for something different, something real, something gritty you will love this book. It's not just a philosophical or theological discussion of pilgrimage, (although Foster is well-qualified to write something dry and boring, fortunately, that's just not his style) it also contains practical advice and cautionary anecdotes from stories of pilgrimages, both Foster's and others.

I think the final sentence of the book sums it up perfectly. He says, “Jesus said some other things, too, but as a summary of the four Gospels, 'Let's go for a walk together' is not bad.”

I enthusiastically agree.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”