Walking the Kingdom Walk

A while back in the Fall, I was enjoying some good conversation with Henry Simmons. We were discussing differences between pilgrimage and wayfaring: how the pilgrim knows where s(he)’s heading, but often wayfarers don’t know until they arrive. “Ah, yes,” said Henry. “But remember now, the pilgrim is different on their return.”

This got me to thinking about Advent and the Three Kings. They took a risky journey at great expense. They brought forth their gifts and paid their hommage to a most humble King. Who changed who? And how was life for them upon the return to their kingdoms?

Picturing myself in that story, I decided to write a song about that pilgrimage. I called it Walking the Kingdom Walk. Here’s how it goes:

Gone to Bethlehem, looking for a King
Not sure what I would find
Took a long journey with a lot of steps
Trying to ease my troubled mind

Was I coming?  Was I going?
I don’t know—it felt good to be on the road
Somewhere on the way my perspective changed
You eased my heavy load

Fear was driving me, I was losing my world —
Disconnected and cut off
Getting kinda lonely out on my own
Walking the Kingdom walk

Was I coming?  Was I going?
I don’t know — maybe You’ll show me a sign?
Lord, I need a glimpse of You today —
And I know things’ll work out fine

Showed up at the stable, brought forth my gift
Set it right before the Child
He looked at me, His eyes so bright
Lord, how we did smile!

Was I giving?  Or receiving?
I don’t know — it felt right to be right there
Somehow out there on my way back home
I found an answer to my prayer

Was I giving?  Or receiving?
It’s both, you see, that can make your life so free
On the way back home I came to find my self,
Thanking God for His gift called me.