A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene Peterson

One of the best descriptions of Christian discipleship may be from Friedrich Nietzsche, of all people: "The essential thing 'in heaven and earth' is . . . that there should be long obedience in the same direction."  From this, Eugene Peterson takes the title of his classic book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.  

 Peterson is best known for his biblical paraphrase The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.  But he was also a Presbyterian pastor for nearly 30 years, and published over 30 books, of which  A Long Obedience was his first.  Sadly, Peterson passed away late last year.

In A Long Obedience, Peterson focuses on the "Songs of Ascent," Psalms 120-134.  Peterson writes that these Psalms were songs Jewish pilgrims sang on their way to Jerusalem for the annual feasts, and that "there are no better 'songs for the road' for those who travel the way of faith in Christ, a way that has so many continuities with the way of Israel."

As Peterson unpacks and personalizes the Psalms, there were several points at which I had to stop and reread and linger.  I love this on worship: "Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God--it whets our appetite.  Our need for God is not taken care of by engaging in worship--it deepens."  Would that my heart and mind viewed worship like this. 

Peterson continues on the long obedience pointing out the characteristics or elements of discipleship: service, help, security, joy, work, happiness, perseverance, hope, humility, obedience, community, and blessing.  In doing so, Peterson accomplishes two key things, at least for me.  First, he points me to God.  Just as the ancient Jews set their hearts toward Jerusalem, so should I set my heart toward God.  Second, he points me to the scripture.  Like any good preacher or Bible teacher, he draws me to to the Bible, inspiring me to dig deeper and spend more time in the Word.

Peterson was a treasure whose teaching gift is missed.  His legacy remains in The Message and his many books.  His long obedience in the same direction sets an example for us all.