Without Oars

September 28, 2020
Granberg-Michaelson (Future Faith), former general secretary of the Reformed Church, invites readers to “discover pilgrimage as a way of life” in this uplifting work. He shares insightful reflections from personal experiences, explaining that many pilgrimages are inward journeys and require a willingness to step away from one’s routine and leave behind comfort for the unknown. Drawing from historical pilgrimages to holy places and his own travels, the author focuses on pilgrimages that are “shaped by a holy purpose and address stark injustices, ecological threats, racism, and violence.” He tells of a trip to a Virginia Trappist monastery in 1972 as his first experience of the clarity and peace of pilgrimage, then explains the Celtic origin of the phrase “without oars” to delve into the degree of detachment that must accompany pilgrimages and the clarity that detaching oneself brings. While he suggests anyone can find comfort and purpose in pilgrimage, he also acknowledges the challenge of relinquishing control and addresses how circumstances such as grief, addiction, or a society-wide crisis (like the pandemic) may bring Christians to the point of feeling powerless. Yet, he writes, these moments can aid in finding one’s true self by stripping away one’s purpose to the bare essentials. Christians feeling wanderlust will find inspiration in this inviting guide.