In my current journey, I am appreciating my college training in long distance running. My coach, at Oregon State University, Berny Wagner, told me, “You’re not fast but you can run for a long time.” Right now, I need to run for a long time. Eugene Peterson addresses this concept in his book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. He draws upon Psalms 120-130, “The Songs of Ascents,” psalms that are assumed to have been sung as the Israelite pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem. These psalms become a picture of the steady, faithful, daily pilgrimage for every Christian who wants to draw close to God. Steady, faithful discipleship is contrary to our instant society. Everything is available to us ... instantly. My medical situation has forced me to re-evaluate how I live. I have never been a food connoisseur. Food has only been necessary for me to live. Slow eating has not been my habit. Savoring food and life have a lot in common. I have learned that chewing food completely (masticating) so that you are swallowing liquid aids in effective digestion. Fruits should not be consumed with other foods because fruits digest at a different rate and could putrefy with other foods. Consuming very little liquid while eating aids in the digestive process. Eating foods at room temperature allows your body to consume food without having to either cool it or heat it and therefore reduce the amount of energy used. All of these eating guidelines run contrary to my instant society. It takes discipline and in my case, discipline over a long time. Take some time to read Psalms 120-134 from the perspective of a pilgrim on a journey of growing closer to God. Check out these additional resources related to Eugene Peterson’s book.
- Amazon copy
- Google Books copy
- Google Books (Perseverance Bible Study copy)
- IVP posting of book with sample chapter 1 and other resources
- IVP Long Obedience Journal
- Nietzsche quote used for title is from "Beyond Good and Evil" and can be found at Gutenberg
I highly recommend you check out Ken Boa’s book, Conformed to His Image. This is a book to keep on your shelf for guiding you through the process of sanctification. Audio lectures on the first facet, Relational Spirituality: Loving God Completely, Ourselves Correctly, and Others Compassionately, can be found at Bible.org.
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