It's Called a Journey of Faith

     Over the past 14 weeks I’ve spent most Wednesday evenings with 10 middle schoolers, a few adults, and about 10 high school mentors in Confirmation classes.  Confirmation is that time when one decides that they are going to step on a path with the saints of the church and live more deliberately as followers of Jesus Christ. 
    Often Confirmation language includes phrases like “being saved” or “becoming a member of the church,” and it can include these, but the longer I’m in it, the more I realized that Confirmation and the faith itself is less about the destination and more about the journey.  That when one becomes a member of the Church they live into the faith in a different, more intentional way, which when taken seriously and done deliberately actually should add more stress to life and more struggle than had one decided not to join the church.
    Such struggle and stress can come by simply committing to invest in a group of flawed, sinful people attempting to live in community.  That is, Jesus was correct when he said, “Nothing is impossible with God,” and thank God that’s the case because the call on the Church is to meld the hearts, minds, and actions of people of faith...which is indeed an impossible thing but for God’s grace.
    But the stress and struggle is deeper than just trying to all get along, for when one commits to follow Christ, one commits to follow One who was a witness to another way of living.  They strive to do things that the world doesn’t understand, and there are many who, like Jesus, make such a nuisance of themselves that they suffer the consequences.
    And so on Sunday morning 10 of our own, 10 who have been in many ways protected and cared for, will come forward, stand before the Body of Christ, and proclaim to the community of faith, “What you have, I want to have.  Who you are, I want to be.  I hope I’ve learned enough to live into this commitment.”
    On the flip side of this, we who have been at this for awhile stand before them and say, “Well, we’ll try.  We’ll share what we’ve learned, including the fact that there will be hard times and times when it doesn’t make sense.  There will be times when there will be great joy and hope, and there will be moments when all joy and hope will be gone because Jesus’ challenge to live by this odd way appear to be too much.
    Most importantly, however, both sides look at each other and realize that this agreement, this commitment, that we make is really a commitment to journey together.  It’s a commitment to state boldly that it’s called a journey of faith.  It’s not so much a belief system, but it is an acknowledgment that on a journey there are moments when the signage is few and far between, when what we say is not necessary what we do (and vice versa), and when it really does take faith, trust, and hope to make it to the next day, hour, or even minute.  And in making that commitment, we are emboldened by the Spirit to invest in the journey together.

    The ninth chapter of Luke’s Gospel begins with Jesus sending the 12 disciples out on a journey.  Up to this point Jesus has done some amazing and miraculous things, and they all marvel at what He can do.  But then he calls them together and says, “I give you authority and power to take care of demons and diseases, to heal, and to proclaim the Kingdom of God.”  And then, as if that’s not difficult enough, Jesus says, “...and you can’t take anything with you.  Just go on the journey.”  And they did.  They went on that journey, and God used them to reveal God’s power, heal the world around them, and preach about this new world that Jesus was ushering in.
    That had to have been a scary proposition.  It had to have been a hard thing because they didn’t know what was coming.  They didn’t have a clue how to do what they were called to do.  They didn’t know what it would look like, this journey, but they did it anyway.  They did it together, trusting, following, sharing, and learning.
    On Sunday morning as we pass on this faith to our young disciples, it’s as if we touch them and say, “My daddy and momma did this for me, and I’m gonna do it for you.  You now have the authority of God to heal and preach and live the way.”  And the authority is passed on to them.
    The truth of the matter is, it’s a scary proposition, for they don’t know what’s coming.  They have no clue what God might call them to do, and yet if they trust, follow, share, and learn, then they step into the journey of a lifetime. 
    And best of all...neither they, nor we, do it alone.  Instead, we journey together...and with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


What has the journey been like for you?  What does the journey mean to you?...to others?

It's about the Journey

   The last few weeks have been filled lots of activity and more stress than usual.  During such times I try to keep tabs on what I’m thinking and feeling, and where I am spiritually.  When I find myself quick to react, feeling anxious inside, and sensing a desire to get away from it all, I know it’s time to reconnect with myself and God.  Today was that day for me, however what I received was a lesson and reminder from God.
    I decided to spend the day hiking to McAfee’s Knob, a hike I’ve never completed and have wanted to for awhile.  So after breakfast and packing the daypack, I headed south on I-81 prepared to get there and get some time to myself, however, my mind was running so fast that I missed the exit.  As luck would have it, there was a traffic backup ahead that slowed me down.
    At the time the anxiety that had built up began to build to where I felt my BP rising.  I wanted to be on my way and get there quickly, but traffic was stopped.  I took the next exit figuring it would connect where I needed to go, but of course, after 10 minutes I realized I was just circling back toward the city.  So I turned around and backtracked up the interstate, only to turn onto the very exit I had missed earlier.  Lesson 1 of the day: God knows better than I do.
    Ready to get on the trail, I drove to the parking lot, got my gear, then headed up the trail.  There were a few folks in the parking lot with whom I shared a quick “Hi,” but I was ready to go, so I headed out.  I thought about asking them if I was headed toward McAfee’s Knob but didn’t.
    As I headed up the trail, it was beautiful.  It was gorgeous weather, and along the way I came across beautiful insects, flowers, and scenic views.  The pitch of the mountain wasn’t too bad, and I was making good time.  I figured I’d be there quicker than planned...until I began to head downhill.

    At first I figured that I was just going down to head back up, but the trail led down to a meadow.  I knew I was supposed to be on a mountain and not in a valley.  I checked my mileage, and I had traveled 3.75 miles.  The Knob is 4.4 miles from the parking lot.  I knew something was wrong, so I called a friend who had been to McAfee’s Knob and asked if there was a meadow on the way.  He didn’t remember one then asked, “Did you cross over the road when you parked and head back on the AT toward Roanoke?”  “No,” I replied.  I was then 8 miles from where I had planned to be.  Lesson 2 of the day: Ask others for help.

    I could have flipped out, or I could have laughed.  I chose the latter, and as I turned back toward the parking lot, I began to pray.  “OK God, what lessons are you going to teach me today.”  Though I intended it to be a spiritual trip, this was the first time I had asked.
    I headed back up to the ridge, because I knew just the place to eat lunch, a nice rock cropping.   I found my way there then sat down to eat.  It was nice and quiet, and I began to open up to God and listen.  About the time I ended finished my lunch, I heard some folks behind me, and three men came up, one from GA and two from SC.  They, of course, sat down and asked, “Mind if we eat here?”  Inside I thought, “Yes I mind,” but I said, “Sure.”
    They had started their trip on April 5th and they were hiking through to Maine.  This piqued my interest, and we began to talk.  We shared stories while they ate, and part of our discussion centered around a local restaurant known by folks passing through for a good meal.  They hoped to get a ride there when they got to the road.  Still a bit guarded, I told them about the restaurant but didn’t offer the ride.  Lesson 3 of the day: God provides opportunity to share despite own self-interest.
    Our discussion ended abruptly when I received a call on my cell from a friend with whom I needed to speak.  I told them I had to take it and headed on.  As I hiked, my friend shared that his father-in-law is under hospice care with brain cancer.  In the midst of the discussion I heard a voice say to me, “It’s not about the destination but about the journey.”  As I journeyed on foot, I felt the weight of his journey and prayed for them all.

    I continued along the path, coming up on a beautiful and rather large black snake, and was reminded that there are many along the journey crossing paths.   Soon after that, I received another call, only this was from a colleague seeking some support and advice.  I sat down on a stump for a bit and listened.  After sharing his situation, I shared a bit about why I was on the hike and some of the frustrations I’d been dealing with.  He answered, “Can you keep walking while I pray?”  “Sure,” I said, and I did.
    Praying with my eyes opened and feet moving, I didn’t realize how much I needed that prayer.  He prayed for me, my family, and the church.  He invited the Spirit to enter in and out with every breath, and as he prayed I felt that Spirit come and reside in me.  I felt the weight lift off and heard those words again, “It’s not about the destination but about the journey...and I am with you in the journey.”  
    I was blessed by that prayer, and after I hung up the phone the pieces began to come together.  I had been so focused on what I wanted, I had lost sight of what God needed, or should I say I lost sight of what I really needed.  I have been so focused on getting things done at work and completing tasks, that I’d found myself frustrated when God had invited me to enter in relationship.  Lesson 4 of the day: It’s not about the destination but about the journey.
    My pace slowed, and I began to take in more of the scenery around me.  My mind was clearing and I stopped at a few of the outcroppings to simply take in the views.  At one of the last outcroppings I heard my friends from lunch come up.  We talked a bit more, and I felt a nudge of the Spirit and said, “Why don’t we walk down together, then I can give you a ride to the restaurant.”
    So that’s what we did.  We walked and talked, me sharing that I was a pastor, and one of the men sharing that he was Anglican and worked with recovering addicts through a Christian shelter.  We spoke of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline and what it’s like to walk the walk.  I believe we both were blessed through the sharing.
    When we finally reached the car, they all decided to go to the restaurant.  I shared some flavored waters with them, and as we said our good-byes my new friend said, “I think God placed you on this path to help us out and to be a part of the journey.”
    As I drove home, I said a prayer of thanks, for I believe that my new friend was right. 
 
What are you most focused on, the destination or the journey?  Where is God in whichever place you answer?