I’ve been thinking about an item I read in a book by Eugene Peterson entitled, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.
Peterson talks about our society being an “instant society,” in which we have been conditioned to believe things are quick and easy. He notes, “we assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly…”
Sound-bite news, thirty second commercials, meals in 5 minutes, instant delivery of communications, have all resulted in our attention spans being conditioned for things to be done instantly and with relative ease.
A result of “instant society” culture can be the replacement of true relationship with Christ and seeking God with all our hearts, minds, and souls with “a tourist mindset.” Religion/worship becomes “a visit to an attractive site” for “religious entertainment and sacred diversion….We go to see a new personality, … get a new experience….”
We cannot achieve spiritual maturity with a tourist mindset. Nietzsche (of all people) wrote a great truth, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is .. there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”
Paul described this “long obedience in the same direction” as pressing on toward “the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (see Philippians 3:12-15).
An antidote to this tourist mindset, Peterson reminds us, is to counter this with the “pilgrim mindset.” As God’s children, “we are people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God, and whose path for getting there is the way, Jesus Christ.” As such, we are disciples of Christ, growing in faith (and thus understanding and obedience) through our active, intimate, deepening relationship with Him.
So, are you a tourist or a pilgrim?
Ants in the Pants of Faith 
I liked this post. Your title caught my eye because I wrote a similar piece a couple of years ago (http://www.mikeyoung.info/field/2008/05/27/burning-bush-or-blackberries/). I also have always loved the title of that Peterson book…A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. I’ve never broke down and actually read that book but the title always strikes me as profound. (I guess I need to add it to the “to be read” stack). Good thoughts! Thanks
Mike,
Peterson is a “hit or miss” author with me. He’s either very good (as with A Long Obedience) or somewhat ordinary. I have enjoyed A Long Obedience thus far. Thanks for reading and your response. I read your blog you referred to — enjoyed it — especially thought-provoking was the comments regarding culture being geared for “tourist” simulation versus true, transformational experience.
Did you know when I adopted my oldest daughter I changed her middle name to Sojourner? You are touching on one of my favorite spiritual paradigms at one of my favorite times in the “liturgical” year. The time when we prepare to remember the Lamb slain, the illusions to the Exodus story, the tale of becoming free from Pharaoh and becoming servants of God.
Two thoughts.
First I started my Lenten Reading today. I have a friend who is Orthodox. Since 2007, I have joined with her in reading as she makes her annual spiritual endeavor towards Pascha. It seems early to start preparing for Easter, but the Lenten Triodion begins on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, which is February 13th this year.
From, Father Alexander Schmemann’s book, Great Lent. The very first words of the introduction: “When a man leaves on a journey, he must know where he is going.”
Have I always traveled in the same direction? Have I consistently remained obedient to travel in the same direction? No. Now, my own desire for instant gratification and my innate want to take side roads counts for only some of my wanderings. Truthfully, I have not always been sure of the destination. I didn’t know where I was going! What happens to a man at death? What is the goal of the Christian life? I don’t think I am dense, but those concepts have been poorly developed (or perhaps just poorly communicated) in the Evangelical community that I have been a part of most of my adult life.
My second thought comes from here:
“If I work very hard and diligently, how long will it take for me to find Zen? The Master thought about this, then replied, “Ten years . .” The student then said, “But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast — How long then?” Replied the Master, “Well, twenty years.” “But, if I really, really work at it, how long then?” asked the student. “Thirty years,” replied the Master. “But, I do not understand,” said the disappointed student. “At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?” Replied the Master, “When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path.”
In addition to not really knowing my destination, I needed to learn that there was value in not always having the end in mind. Sometimes I have to concentrate on the process. Have you read the Didache? This first century Christian document gives Christians instructions on how to live rather than what to believe.
So, I am a pilgrim — who spends a lot of time with my eyes on the path rather than the goal. Outsiders, those who don’t take the time to get to know me, might mistake me for a tourist.
By the way, you probably read too much. 😉
While Pilgram is the goal. I find at times I become a tourist then a settler in a comfortable land. But praise God I become restless and love to be stretched and move eagerly back to Pilgram. The Cycles we do take. Love You!
Indeed. Your thought on being a “settler in a comfortable land” is one to think and chew on. I often am in that “cycle.”