Occasionally, I come across a book that is an absolute delight to read. Where the very experience of reading engages the heart and the mind, but also captivates with its visual beauty. Pilgrim by Ruth Chou Simons is one such book.
In Pilgrim, Ruth Chou Simons explores the character of God, with each chapter dedicated to a different attribute. His omnipotence, his holiness, his goodness. And she helps us see how knowing these attributes of God shapes our life in the hear and now. We don’t have to strive to be perfect, because God is perfect and he calls us to trust in him. We don’t have to fear for the future, because God is good and omniscient and he has promised to always walk with us. This is grounded and practical theology.
The real strength of this book is the exquisite artwork woven all the way through. Ruth’s art, including landscape paintings and calligraphy of Bible verses and classic hymns, turn the heart towards the truth she is writing about. This is a book to read slowly and reverently, savouring the details on every page.
Keep reading to see my favourite quotes from Pilgrim.
“The very gift of salvation is that we might walk with God forever.” p.20
“Grace doesn’t transfer us from lost to found, it ensures that we never lose our way or eternal footing again.” p.28
“The more we set our hearts and minds on the mercy and kindness of God, the more we can’t help but offer our lives back to him in grateful praise.” p.39
“You see, justification is not simply absolution as if we had never sinned, but God’s favour as if we had always been righteous.” p.65
“His omniscience doesn’t cast us out, but brings us near.” p.76
“We can’t lose our way from His presence when He always knows his way to us.” p.86
“Through Jesus, we are anchored to a sure and unchanging Father, even as we ourselves are fickle and faithless.” p.99
“We were meant to receive restoration through Christ as God’s greatest provision.” p.108
“You and I belong to a God who is trustworthy because everything he does emanates from his goodness.” p.117
“You need only be faithful to yield to him and abide in him as he does his good work in you.” p.139
“If he can hold the skies together by his love and omnipotence, he can hold you and me.” p.146
“When we know and trust the character of God, we become more willing to let him work through our weaknesses and display his strength and power.” p.153
“The hero of your story is the faithfulness of God.” p.171
“Gratitude is the soundtrack we’re meant to run our race to.” p.179
” The grace of God transforms us into his likeness so that we not only experience his holiness but are able to reflect it ourselves.” p.197
“It’s in worshipping our matchless king that we discover that nothing else compares.” p.225
“Every attribute of God and evidence of his grace is found in the God man Jesus Christ.” p. 236
Over the Teacups 