Pilgrimage #3 — Discipline and Authority
The third consecutive pilgrimage to Lake Superior — a journey marked by dryness, correction, and the commissioning of authority through weakness.
By the time the third pilgrimage arrived, dryness had settled over me.
The fire of the first journey and the prophetic precision of the second had given way to something harder to navigate: conflict, correction, and the slow work of discipline.
This was not the pilgrimage of awe or proof.
This was the pilgrimage of training — where God began to address not just what I saw, but how I spoke, how I stewarded authority, and how I carried myself in the Kingdom.
June 30 — The Long Haul in Distress
The journey north began under a cloud. I was in conflict with someone close to me — sharp words, unresolved tension, and the weight of relational strain pressing down on my spirit.
As I drove, I felt the Lord's correction settle over me — not harsh, but firm. The message was clear:
"You are being trained in authority. But authority without discipline is dangerous. I am addressing your mouth, your posture, and your heart before I release you further."
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
— Hebrews 12:11
It was a sobering start. This pilgrimage would not be about spectacle. It would be about submission.
July 1 — Angelic Touch (Vision Sharpening)
On the first night, I experienced a vivid vision: an angel touched my eyes, and immediately my spiritual vision sharpened. I could see with greater clarity — not just in dreams, but in discernment and understanding.
The touch was gentle but purposeful, as if God was saying, "I am refining your sight. You will need to see clearly for what is coming."
This was the first sign that despite the dryness, God was still at work — preparing, sharpening, training.
July 3 — Two Strange Markers (Mouthguard & Crown)
The Mouthguard
In a dream, I was given a mouthguard — the kind athletes wear to protect their teeth. The symbolism was unmistakable:
"Guard your mouth. Your words carry weight. You are being trained in authority, but authority without restraint is destructive."
James 3:2-6 came to mind: "If anyone is never at fault in what they say, they are perfect, able to keep their whole body in check... The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts."
The Crown
Later that same day, I found a small, broken crown on the ground — a child's toy, discarded and weathered. I picked it up and felt the Lord speak:
"This is your weakness exposed. But I am not ashamed of it. I will heal what is broken and crown you with authority — not because you are strong, but because you are willing to be weak before Me."
The crown was a prophetic marker: authority comes through vulnerability, not performance.
July 7 — The Turtle and the Timing (77°F, 7:00 PM)
On July 7, I encountered a turtle crossing the road. I stopped to help it across, and as I did, I noticed the time: 7:00 PM. The temperature: 77°F.
The turtle became a prophetic symbol: slow, steady, patient. God was teaching me that His timing is not rushed. Authority is not seized; it is received through patient obedience.
"You are learning to move at My pace, not yours. The turtle carries its home on its back — you will carry My presence wherever you go, but you must learn to move with patience and trust."
The repeating sevens confirmed the message: covenant, completion, divine timing.
July 10 — The Forgotten Trekking Pole (Isle Royale Staff of Authority)
On July 10, I realized I had forgotten my trekking pole — a tool I had relied on for stability during hikes. I felt frustrated, but the Lord spoke clearly:
"You forgot your pole, but I am giving you a staff. What you lack in your own strength, I will provide in My authority."
"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
— Psalm 23:4
Later that day, I found a sturdy walking stick on the trail — weathered, strong, and perfectly suited for the journey. It became a prophetic marker: the staff of authority is not earned through self-sufficiency, but received through dependence on God.
Moses had his staff. Aaron had his rod. I was being given mine — not as a symbol of power, but as a tool of service and stewardship.
July 21-26 — Closing Signs (Numeric Precision with Sevens)
As the pilgrimage drew to a close, the sevens continued to appear with precision:
- July 21: Arrived at a rest stop at 7:07 PM, temperature 77°F
- July 23: Odometer hit 77,777 miles
- July 26: Final prayer at 7:00 AM, temperature 70°F
The repeating sevens were God's signature — a confirmation that despite the dryness, He was present, orchestrating, and commissioning.
Immediate Impact
This pilgrimage was the hardest. There was no fire, no dramatic vision, no overwhelming sense of God's presence. Instead, there was correction, discipline, and the slow work of character formation.
But in hindsight, it was the most necessary. God was addressing the foundation of my heart before releasing me into greater authority. He was teaching me that:
- Authority without discipline is dangerous
- Weakness is not disqualifying — it is the pathway to strength
- God's timing is patient, and I must learn to move at His pace
- The staff of authority is received, not earned
Prophetic Reflection
The Three Pilgrimages — One Prophetic Arc
Looking back, the three pilgrimages form a complete discipleship arc:
| Pilgrimage | Theme | Focus | Key Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrimage #1 | Fire & Awe | Encountering God's holiness | Pillar of Fire |
| Pilgrimage #2 | Prophecy as Proof | Recognizing God's voice | Marketplace Miracles |
| Pilgrimage #3 | Discipline & Authority | Receiving God's commissioning | Staff of Authority |
This mirrors the biblical pattern of Moses:
- Burning Bush: Encountering God's holiness (Pilgrimage #1)
- Signs and Wonders: Recognizing God's voice and power (Pilgrimage #2)
- Wilderness Training: Discipline, correction, and the staff of authority (Pilgrimage #3)
God does not rush the process. He trains, refines, and commissions in stages — each pilgrimage building on the last.
Spiritual Application
Seven Lessons from Pilgrimage #3
1. Dryness is not abandonment
God was present even when I didn't feel Him. Discipline is a sign of love, not distance.
2. Guard your mouth
Authority without restraint is dangerous. The mouthguard was a prophetic warning: words carry weight, and I must steward them carefully.
3. Weakness is the pathway to strength
The broken crown was not a sign of failure, but an invitation to healing. God crowns the humble, not the self-sufficient.
4. Move at God's pace
The turtle taught me patience. Authority is not seized; it is received through steady obedience.
5. What you lack, God provides
I forgot my trekking pole, but God gave me a staff. His provision is better than my preparation.
6. Sevens confirm covenant
The repeating sevens were God's signature — a reminder that He was orchestrating every detail, even in the dryness.
7. Training precedes commissioning
God does not rush the process. He trains, refines, and commissions in stages. This pilgrimage was preparation for what comes next.
Reflection & Activation Exercise
For Personal Reflection:
- Are you in a season of dryness? How might God be using it to train you?
- What areas of your life need discipline before God releases you into greater authority?
- How do you steward your words? Are there areas where you need to "guard your mouth"?
- What "broken crowns" in your life might God be preparing to heal and restore?
- Are you moving at God's pace, or are you rushing ahead of His timing?
Activation:
Ask the Lord to show you one area where He is training you in authority. Journal what He reveals, and commit to stewarding that area with patience and obedience.
Closing Prayer of Activation
"Father, thank You for the seasons of discipline and training. Help me to see dryness not as abandonment, but as preparation. Teach me to guard my mouth, to move at Your pace, and to receive authority through weakness. I surrender my self-sufficiency and ask for Your staff — not as a symbol of power, but as a tool of service. Train me, refine me, and commission me according to Your perfect timing. In Jesus' name, Amen."