As I reflect on today’s session my ache deepens. With so many seeking to do good and yet creating wounds in their wake, I understand why some speak of tossing social thought grenades at spiritual family members. There is no enemy left but the one who resides within. Sure, we point to others, but our deepest battle is inside ourselves. I began this journey aching for others. I find myself, after one session, aching about myself! How do I maintain a peace within so I feel equipped to wage peace without? How do I engage when my hope, as a middle-aged white male, is to take up less space? I cling to the “Journey” of this process more than the “Hope” at this point.
The concept of “a long obedience in the same direction” resonates. I can’t recall who coined that at the moment. (Thankfully this isn’t a “peer reviewed” post.) Jer’s story is a great example of that. Persisting on a path laid before him by a Muslim Imam that he holds faithfully. What a model! Lindsay’s story also reflects this in its own way. Faithful engagement with one organization for so many years. Truth be told, I imagine all our stories give a glimpse of some form of obedience or we wouldn’t be on this journey together. Jesse was obedient though he didn’t even realize it. I hope that proves true of me as well. I think the hardest calling of obedience isn’t to the great things but to the simple. Speak to that neighbor. Pull over and help that person. Turn off the TV and play a game with your son. These are the internal obedience calls I find myself dismissing. It’s grandiose to develop a peacemaking workshop or discipleship plan for my organization. I like those calls to peacemaking. But the quiet, small voice of internal and intimate peacemaking is easier to ignore. My fear, however, is that it has greater impact. I need to give more attention to the internal ache so I am better equipped to respond to the ache for others.
I am grateful for this journey. I know it has just begun but my bags have been packed for over a year! I am eager to set out and begin the learning and unlearning so I can be better equipped to wage peace. I am also glad this journey begins just as we kick off the season of Lent. What a great time to start a journey of hope.
6 comments
This all really resonates with me Nathan. Thanks for sharing and for kicking us off!
I agree that when I think of peacemaking or doing something to significantly impact the world around me, it feels pretty external and not very localized. Your statement “turn off the TV and play a game with your son…” just sort of stops me in my tracks. How are the relationships inside my home reflective of the commitments I so desperately want to make? Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Yes, Nathan and Lindsay! Deep resonance for me here on the subtle and seemingly mundane opportunities for peacemaking within my wingspan…including within me. Perhaps we know we’re becoming Everyday Peacemakers when our frequency of accepting these small invitations becomes the habit of our lives. I join you both in forming in that direction.
Nathan, I am grateful for and resonate with your personal reflections on obedience and say ‘Amen’. BTW, Eugene Peterson – ‘A long obedience in the same direction’….a great book!
Nathan, I really appreciate your honest self-reflection here…our deepest battle is within ourselves… amen! That honest question feels so relevant to me as well, and it is going to require a lot of internal work to move towards those we disagree with in curiosity. Thankful to be on this journey with you, brother.
Nathan,
I truly appreciate your reflection. When you said “the quite, small voice of internal and intimate peacemaking is easier to ignore” I truly connected with that sentiment. Thanks!
I resonate, Jean. Some of the work that we need to do is to de-sensationalize peacemaking. We seem to live with the notion that if it’s not reshaping geopolitical realites or moving political needles, peace is not being made. I want to keep embracing Jesus’ invitations to consider this work as introducing yeast and planting mustard seeds. My sense is that if myriad peacemakers lived this way, we’d see some substantial movement on the needles toward peace.