At this point in my spiritual journey I’m growing to value certain understandings and expressions of the Christian faith that differ from some of those most common in the tradition in which I was raised. As I become increasingly aware of these differences I’m faced with a choice. Will I arrogantly dismiss where I’ve come from as old hat, provincial, and tired, with nothing more to offer as I journey onward? Or will I recognize all traditions are flawed to a certain extent, and that the direction I’m headed may in fact benefit from some of what I received growing up?
The first option would require me to declare all I was raised with categorically wrong, or at least not always right. The second option would allow me to honor where I’ve come from, and even take with me as travel companions those aspects of my tradition that seem most helpful, all the while acknowledging journeying onward means leaving some of it behind. Two significant conversations have helped me happily choose this second option.
Conversation #1
I can’t remember the conversation verbatim, but I’ll do my best to recount it accurately. A few years ago I attended a workshop hosted by a pastor friend of mine. After the workshop a man I had never met introduced himself to me.
“Rob Patterson, you don’t know me but I have been praying for you for a year or so. I’ve been waiting to meet you because I have an picture from the Lord to share with you.”
After expressing my interest in what he had to say the man continued, “There was a boat in a body of water, anchored to its spot. The Lord wants you to know it is time to cut the anchor and move on. It’s important that the anchor is cut and not pulled up. This is because where you were anchored was not a bad place. You can leave your anchor there, nevertheless, the Lord is moving you on.”
Conversation #2
Last year I had the opportunity to receive some spiritual direction from Orthodox priest Father Patrick Henry Reardon. After having detailed my story for him he shared a word of advice that has stuck with me. “Proceed slowly. And always be careful to honor the tradition in which providence placed you.”
I am determined to honor the tradition from which I come, and to leave the anchor as I sail on. First and foremost, I’m committed to nurturing my submission to, dependence on, and worship of God, no matter where it leads me and no matter the cost. This is a value with which I was raised and I intend to keep it. Second, I’m committed to processing my journey in community. I’m not running away from the significant relationships with which the Lord has blessed me, not least of which is my current church community. Third, I’m committed to retain and celebrate those most helpful and uplifting aspects of the tradition in which I was raised such as a deep devotion to Christian mission, a sensitivity to proclaiming the gospel in a manner intelligible to my current local culture, and a passion for proclaiming the gospel through strong biblical teaching and preaching.
I praise God for where providence started my journey. I praise him for the direction in which, by his grace, I’m headed. And I praise him for the journey itself.
Very nicely done. Praise the Lord for the privilege of walking daily with him!
Posted by: Debbie Dunton | 07/08/2011 at 07:07 AM
Yes, and what an extraordinary and humbling privilege it is! Thanks for the comment, Debbie.
Posted by: Rob Patterson | 07/08/2011 at 08:07 AM