Last week I read an article by Eugene
Peterson, a pastor, and writer of the Message translation of the Bible. In it
he made a confronting comment (relating to preaching) which I thought was an
important spiritual outlook. He said:
“My approach to preaching was developed by reversing what was so common
in American Protestantism: Trying to treat God as an answer-person. And we don’t know enough about God to know what to
ask. So we listen, and we listen, and we listen.”[1]
His
words are quite challenging. Although speaking within the context of American
Protestantism, it also relates to us here in Australia. How many times have we treated God as an
answer-person? If we are honest, we only
want the answers that suit us and our comfortable lifestyles. If He gives us an
answer that we don’t like or we’re uncomfortable with, then we say that it’s
not from God.
As
Peterson said, “We don’t know enough about God to know what to ask.” I see two reasons for this. Firstly, He is God,
infinitely immense in every way - even His will - and we are finitely human in
our understanding. Secondly, sin has totally corrupted us in every way, and we need transformation, which is
slowly taking place (the work of sanctification).
The answer that Peterson has suggested
is really hard for most of us actually to accept.
That is, we are to “Listen, and we listen, and we listen.” I don’t know about you, but while I think I m
a good listener, I bet that I am a lousy one. We all want action now, not to stop and listen
for Him or to Him either by ourselves or
with others. Peterson in his Bible translation said,
6 “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One
who will keep you on track. 7 Don’t assume that you know it all. Run
to God! Run from evil!” (Prov 3:6-7 The Message Bible).
Pause in His
presence for a moment and think this over…
[1] “Eugene Peterson: What Most Pastors Don’t Know about Pastoring.” http://churchleaders.com/podcast/305503-eugene-peterson-pastors-dont-know-pastoring.html
(10th July 2017).
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