I’m currently reading “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” by Eugene Peterson (yeah “The Message” guy). It’s a look at the 15 songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. He uses them as guidepost for the pilgrim walk of a disciple of Christ. I’m still in the process of reading it, but something in the second chapter struck me and I wanted to share it.

Peterson says: “A person  has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. As long as we think the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquillity, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith. A person has to get fed-up with the ways of the world before he, acquires an appetite for the world of grace.”

I’ve often wondered why God is having me move my family back to the States in the midst of such uncertain times.  The more I think about it, the more I think that those uncertainties may themselves be the reason. 

Like all good crisises, these hard economic times will send people looking. Looking for meaning, looking for hope, looking for faith, and for a  few, looking  for God. It usually takes something big for people to see that the places where they have been looking for hope and security are in reality false and flimsy. It’s only when this is realized that anyone has a “change of appetite” and will look to God. The path of the Christian is harder, because it requires faith, but its destination is true and sure.

I have had, by God’s grace, a pretty stable life here in Montreal. But I don’t think God wants me to get too comfortable, for stagnation often follows comfort. I think about Abram leaving his home, family, and all things familiar, to pursue God’s vague “land that I will show you.” He never would have become Abraham, father of a nation, or the father of faith had he stayed back in Ur. I will never grow into the person God wants me to be unless I step out faith and follow his calling.  And I must walk in faith, knowing that he has called me to walk the road He has chosen, to do the work He has planned, regardless of the economy, job situation and other crisises that will come up as I follow His path.

Faith is necessary for growth. Crisis can spark hope in God and His vision.  And through it we find a growing appetite for the world of grace.