PASTOR MIKE’S MEDITATIONS

August 2020

One of my favorite writers is Eugene Peterson. He, perhaps more than any other author, has helped me understand the nature of my vocation and calling as a pastor. While Peterson passed away this last year, his imprint on followers of Christ and particularly pastors, will continue on for many years to come. My favorite book of his is entitled, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. There, Peterson uses the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 121-134) to describe the journey of discipleship as a journey toward God that doesn’t happen overnight, but takes a lifetime. I recall reading those Psalms on my trip to Israel in January. As the tour bus drove up the steady climb to Jerusalem, those Psalms, which have been read by centuries of Jews and Christians making the pilgrimage to the Holy City, filled my mind and heart with language that described my own journey of faith in Christ.
Of course, that was right before the Covid-19 pandemic spread through the world and into our country and eventually our state and community. To be honest, there have been times over this past crazy six months that I have forgotten that I even got to go to the Holy Land this past year! And yet then, God draws me back. This past week, while on a brief backpacking trip, a long slow climb up Shepherd’s Pass toward the John Muir Trail reminded me of what a "Long Obedience in the Same Direction"may look like. You don’t get to your destination on a backpack trip or in the journey of faith instantly. In fact, climbing over 3,000 feet of elevation over 4 miles is incredibly difficult as my two friends and I found out. Following Jesus amidst our present health, social, and cultural crisis is not easy either…
The question is, what can we do to reflect obedience as disciples of Jesus in these difficult days? What does that obedience look like? Sometimes I think it can mean simply holding on, continuing to stay in conversation with God when we feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Crying out to God in prayer is actually a central way we take steps forward in faith. Faith is not about denying the difficulties, but embracing God and His plan for our lives in the midst of them. Life doesn’t always make sense, but we can still find meaning and purpose if we cling to God and continue to step forward in carrying out the mission he has called us to; to become and make disciples.
On my backpack trip, we got into a few conversations that were essentially about discipleship. Conversation on how we can continue to reflect love and faithfulness in our marriages or process past griefs were both discussed. It caused me to consider that just as I was carrying things in my backpack that were weighing me down and slowing my journey, there are ways that we may stuff our feelings and emotions that slow us down rather than speed our healing or growth. Fortunately, when I realized how over-packed I was, I left a few items in the car. Still, there were things I carried that I didn’t need as well as other pieces of equipment that were extremely helpful. It caused me to question, what are we carrying (ex: The Bible, faith, community) that is essential to encouraging our obedience, and what are we carrying (ex: attitudes, hurts, sinful patterns or practices of coping) that God would invite us to leave behind?
As we consider what a "long obedience in the same direction" or discipleship might look like right now, I was also drawn to the mantra of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church which says, In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, and in all things Charity (or love). Resting in the essential aspects of our faith, centrally in the completed work of salvation in Christ, and loving one another across our differences through the power of the Holy Spirit, are invitations I see Christ extending to us in this unusual season of life that we find ourselves in. As a result of the pandemic, we find the days of disruption stretch into months. In this I pray that we each may continue to find ourselves stepping forward in a "long obedience in the same direction" toward Jesus. Amen.