A Long Obedience In the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson — Book Review

Psalms 120-134 are known as “Songs of Ascent.”  They were sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they traveled the road to Jerusalem, the highest city in Palestine, for the great worship festivals.  Eugene Peterson uses each of these songs to describe a portion of what takes place along the walk of faith, as we travel upward toward God.  The chapter titles include:  Repentance, Worship, Service, Security, Joy, Perseverance, Humility, Community and more.  I love Eugene Peterson!  He never fails to engage and enlighten me.

In the updated edition, Peterson uses his modern version of the Psalms, from his translation, The Message.  Many will like this, but I preferred to go back and read from the NIV, as I enjoy the familiarity.  His goal is to encourage people to once more pray the Psalms, as an encouragement to pray all their emotions, good, bad and messy.  We can take it all to God, in fact we must if we want to progress in the Christian life.  According to Peterson we won’t change overnight:  it takes “a long obedience in the same direction.”  This is not a popular idea in our “give it to me now” culture.

“There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness.”

This book was recommended to me in a comment by my friend, Nancy, and I heartily recommend it as well.  It’s not a difficult read, and the chapters could easily be read one per day, as part of a devotional practice.  Has anyone else read this book, or others by Eugene Peterson?  If so, let us know what you think, we’d love to hear.

P.S. Check out the archives for another Peterson book I reviewed, Eat This Book.

Persevere Upward

The Via de Cristo community has monthly gatherings which are called ultreyas.  Ultreya is an archaic Spanish word once used by pilgrims in Spain as they ascended the steep steps up to the Shrine of St. James.  It means to “persevere upward” and was called out to encourage others to keep going.  At an ultreya there is singing, food (we are Lutherans, after all) and time to share our experiences in walking with the Lord.

In a sense, we’re all pilgrims in this Christian journey.  The way can get difficult.  There are plenty of distractions, disappointments, detours and even spots that seem like dead ends.  It’s good to know we’re not alone.  It’s good to have someone lend a helping hand, listen, or just call out “you can make it.”  It’s good to have someone who will carry your burdens for a while, someone who will pause to give you directions, someone who will pray with you and for you.

That’s why Christ gave us the church.  Most of us couldn’t persevere alone.  Companions on the journey lift our spirits;  they keep us on the right path;  they help us accomplish our goals.  Don’t be a lone ranger Christian — find a community and persevere upward.

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up!”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

What’s My Mission?

In a recent post, Beth Ann wrote about learning to know yourself.  Nothing has helped me more in that quest than developing a personal mission statement.  Why?  Well, a mission statement helps you differentiate between the things God has chosen for you to do, and those that may be fine to do, but not necessary and those that you really shouldn’t bother about.  I find that in this busy world most of us are overwhelmed with opportunities.  How do we choose?  What is our focus?  A personal mission statement helps with that.

So, we come to the YBH question (yes, but how?).  Here are some tips for writing your statement:

1. Think, pray and journal about it.  Read over the Bible verses that are most meaningful to you.  Write down your most fulfilling life experiences.  What are the things you enjoy doing?  When have you felt God’s pleasure?
2. Ask a few close friends to give you a list of your best qualities and talents.
3. Read a book or do a Bible study on the topic of spiritual gifts. (I think I’ve recommended some in a previous post). Understand what your particular gifts and talents are.
4. Your statement should be fairly short, and to the point.  It should give you direction but not be too detailed.  For example:  “to become a better Christian” is too vague;  “to write Sunday School materials for preschoolers” is too focused.

Here’s my personal mission statement:

“To keep in mind that I am a pilgrim on a journey to draw closer to God’;  to recognize and respect this pilgrim quality in others and use my God given talents, insights, and resources to encourage them;  to enjoy the life, friends, family and work with which I have been blessed and to be a peaceful and harmonious influence in all of these places.”

My statement focuses on my primary spiritual gift (encouragement) but allows latitude in how I might use it at any given time;  as many friends affirmed my tendency to bring peace to stressful situations, I included that quality.  I wanted to remind myself of my blessings and remember to “bloom where God planted me.”

I would love for other authors and readers to share their personal mission statements, or let me know if I can help you to develop one.  God loves you and so do I!