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.

On this first day of the Journey of Hope, Bart Tarman shared a bit of his sacred experience walking El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Bart explained that this journey was both physically and mentally challenging, for he had chosen to put himself in an uncomfortable experience of dislocation. Gradually, he found himself leaving the missional mindset of needing to do things, and the slow, steady pace of his walk allowed him to catch up with God and even to catch up with himself. Is this what the Journey of Hope pilgrimage would be for me? For us? How do I reconcile this tension between slowing down to catch up with God and the urgency of the suffering that is taking place now?

After our initial gathering with the Journey of Hope cohort, I met with Jer Swigart for a time of reflection and processing. I shared with Jer my struggle with how to help my church that is very comfortable in its whiteness become a church that sees the suffering in our community and works to disrupt systems that cause that suffering. And then, Jer asked me, “Yes, and who must you become as a leader to help navigate this shift?” Who must I become? All this time, my focus has been on trying to get my church to change, but I had failed to recognize the change that needed to take place within myself. 

So, I tie the laces on my hiking boots, lift my heavy pack upon my back, and I begin to walk. I do not know the destination of this Journey of Hope pilgrimage, but I look forward to following Jesus on the way.

Image Source: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/27/cnn-underscored/best-hiking-boots/index.html