Do you know the one thing I love the most about being over 50? The outstanding and very clear fact that I have so much to learn. I just finished a truly intense and beautiful book, “As Kingfishers Catch Fire,” a conversation on the ways of God formed by the words of God, by Eugene H. Peterson. Mr. Peterson, is the author of the Message translation of the bible and his wisdom is penetrating. (The Message by the way is a much easier way to read the bible, and many prefer this… if you haven’t checked it out, you might want to try that on the bible app so that you can see if it fits your style of learning…) The book is essentially a compilation of 49 sermons he wrote when he was a pastor… They are short and easy to read, but deep in context and meaning. Going deeper is somehow appealing to me right now.
This quote above captured me with the truth it holds. The chapter, titled, “With the Wild Beasts,”* contrasts and pulls together Isaiah 40 and Mark 1. The highlight for me is essentially “locating” the new (Mark) in the old (Isaiah) by way of referencing the “Way” and “Path.”- The term “Way” is familiar to the Jewish population, at least in that day, because of it’s frequent use in the Psalms. According to Mr, Peterson, this is where this thought came about, “Where “the way” is not the path we walk on but the way we walk on the path.”
Some additional thought here…
“The Way is not only a route we take but the WAY WE GO…the way we walk, the way we use our influence, (side note: we all have influence…) the way we treat one another, the way we raise our children, the way we read, the way we worship, the way we vote,” and on.
As this is “Simple Thoughts Sunday,” and a place I often talk about my faith, I find this so incredibly important right now. It’s always important to contemplate what “path” I am on… (I seem to prefer that to “the way,” but it’s the same thing.) I am especially focused on ideas of “the way I… think, research, listen, and learn before voicing an absolute opinion, the way I approach careful matters…
Jesus says clearly that he is the way. (John 14:6) I believe that if we will take time to really allow God to speak to us, that we will be able to follow a “way” that is better and that our paths can not only inspire growth and unity, but help advance one another and serve each other in the best possible ways.
*By the way, the context of the chapter title, goes to the opening of the conversation above and that we all generally go thru the “wilderness,” as Jesus did to get thru life. What I loved, is the concept that while we may experience testing and temptation in the wilderness parts of our lives, and even though it seems “empty of vegetation” that it is “full of God.” Essentially, God shows up in these seasons. I believe he is showing up now if we will listen.