In the Hands of a Hungry Pilgrim

Its cover is worn with bent edges

Its pages yellowed with passing time

It smells of age and cellar

Its years beyond mine

In it though a treasure resides

Words of hope and strength and life

From page to page and word to word

Come truths to help and remind

Its resting place seemed its forever home

Until seeking eyes upon it fell

And the thirsty heart felt strength arise

Its page's words a restoring supply

Discarded not, nor left behind

From elder hearts come treasures prized

Not set aside but dearly held

In the hands of a hungry pilgrim

We carry in us, in these earthen vessels, treasure of great worth and value, deposited by the Lord. Like an old book, some of us are wearing with the years and feeling the cricks and creaks of an aging body. But still, the treasure remains. 

We may feel like an old book, threadbare and tattered, but that does not mean we are not useful in the Master's hands. Our pages may be yellowed and stiff, but let us not lose heart, for the years of the Spirit's work in our lives has kept our content new and fresh. And let us avail ourselves to His plan and timing; perhaps out there is a traveler in need of the refreshing drink our lives can offer him. We simply need avail ourselves to the Lord.

These truths came to light through two books I discovered (two very old books) in a bookstore on Cape Cod. They are really nothing to look at as far as new, fresh, and relevant go. Some might say they carry a stale air of romanticism and would fit well as decorations on a shelf. But as I've read these books, I've discovered a great treasure deposited into the men who penned their pages well over one hundred years ago. Never sell yourself short because of your age. Be wary of using the same standard of value that society measures with.

As a Christian, as his follower, your treasure sweetens with the years and your wisdom, shown by that graying (or missing) hair, increases as you abide daily in him. Be encouraged, the gift of you is a ready present for the hungry pilgrim.

Scripture References

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

—2 Cor 4:7 ESV

He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

—Matthew 13:52 NIV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

—2 Cor 4:16 ESV

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

—2 Cor 2:15 BSB