An Inkling
It’s a striking title: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. So Eugene Peterson entitled one of his books. How does that look? I’ve seen an example.
Some years ago Collie Burton, James Anderson, and Don Coleman sensed God’s calling to bridge the gaps here in Richmond. Knowing that Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and to each other, they determined that the gaps between churches, races, and sections of our city could not be ignored. Christ’s gifts of reconciliation and unity had to be realized. So they began a journey, and it has become a long obedience in the same direction – years spent in the pursuit of what God called them to do, and often without seeing much headway.
But they persisted. And not only did they persist, they kept finding new approaches. They wrote and distributed a book with their vision for reconciliation and unity. For years they facilitated a pastors’ breakfast here at St. Giles. When that ran its course, they gathered a couple of new pastors’ groups in other settings. From one of those groups, where I’ve participated, a new approach sprang forth, named “Bless Richmond.”
It was aptly named – a gathering of Christians with a single intent: to bless Richmond. How? By honoring Jesus in worship, by building relationships across the traditional lines of division, and by serving the poor.
You can see some of the worship in the cell phone video Sarah took, as we sang an African praise song. What a joyful time! The 2000 or so people brought with them over seven tons of food, which will be distributed through the Food Bank. Worship leaders from several churches joined to lead the praise, and pastors from various churches led the prayers. What a marvelous way to bless Richmond.
And it happened in large part because the Lord used the long obedience of some of his servants. Let’s travel that road together! Thanks Collie, James, and Don for leading the way.
Blessings,
Keith
