“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Proverbs 29:18

It will soon be Thanksgiving Day in America.  It’s that special holiday when our thoughts turn to that hardy band of 102 Englishmen who set sail from their native land and journeyed over the seas to a new home in a strange land. Their ship, the Mayflower, was originally built for 60 passengers, it had no heat or plumbing and half way across the Atlantic, the main beam broke.  They arrived before Christmas 1620, having lost only 2 passengers.  However, the winter was severe and with the coming of spring, half of their number died from hunger and disease.  If we could go back in time to early Plymouth, what would the Pilgrims teach us?

1 – Be Strong in Your Faith!  The Pilgrims held deep unwavering spiritual convictions.  They believed in a personal faith in Jesus Christ and found fulfillment in Him.  They had encountered the living Christ and feared neither king nor government, only God.  Because they belonged to Him, they knew their cause was just and thanked Him even in the midst of adversity.  “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”  Psalm 31:24

2 – Practice Discipline!  The Pilgrims left us an example of disciplined living.  They ordered their personal lives, worship, the church, business affairs, political views and recreation by the commandments of God’s Word.  “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls,” Proverbs 25:28.

3 – Enjoy Freedom Under the Law.  The Mayflower Compact became the forerunner of the Constitution of the United States.  They believed in government by the people with equal rights to all, with judgment for the lawless.  It was written and signed by the men for “the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” 

 4 – Care For Others – The Pilgrims believed every person was made in the image of God, that each was of infinite value and worth in the sight of God.  They lived among the Native Americans, learning from them and teaching them the scriptures.  Those first generation Pilgrims knew they were citizens of another world, and lived out their faith with hard work and fair dealings.  “For you have been taught of God to love one another.”  1 Thess. 4:9 

5 – Share Your Faith — The pilgrims were evangelists who were an example of those who share their spiritual and material blessings.  They came to the new world for freedom to worship God and to tell others about Him.  Harvard University was originally founded to train men for the ministry.  By 1663, the first Bible was printed in the Algonquin language!  “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…Judea…Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts. 1:8

6 – Dream Big Dreams!    The Pilgrims dreamed of a haven for themselves and their children.  They dreamed of religious freedom and a world where God would rule the hearts of men.  Their strength of spirit was forged by a personal faith in Christ, by tough discipline and by regular habits of prayer and Bible study.  Where there is no vision, the people perish,” Prov. 29:18.

Today, it seems many of us have no vision and no hope.  But, we can hope in God who raised Jesus from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father.  He is our Hope and Peace!

Your friend, Jean

Taken from “Six things We Can Learn from the Pilgrims” by Janet Chismar (BGEA)