Christian Spirituality
I enjoy reading the poet-farmer Wendell Berry. He takes a small piece of land in Kentucky, respects it, cares for it, submits himself to it just as an artist submits himself to his materials. I read Berry, and every time he speaks of "farm" and "land," I insert "parish." As he talks about his farm, he talks about what I 've tried to practice in my congregation, because one of the genius aspects of pastoral work is locality.
The pastor's question is, " Who are these particular people, and how can I be with them in such a way that they can become what God is making them?" My job is simply to be there, teaching, preaching Scripture as well as I can, and being honest with them, not doing anything to interfere with what the Spirit is shaping in them. Could God be doing something that I never even thought of : Am I willing to be quiet spend fifty years reclaiming this land? Like Wendell Berry, am I willing to spend fifty years reclaiming this land? With these people?
Christian spirituality means living in the mature wholeness of the gospel. It means taking all the elements of your of your life--children, spouse, job, weather, possessions, relationships--and experiencing them as an act of faith. God wants all the material of our lives.
Meanwhile, freinds wiat patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmer do this all the time, aiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patitent ike that. Stay steady an strong. The Matster could arrive at any time.
James 5:7-8
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