"Ethical" Stamina?

I’d like to share some wisdom from Eugene Peterson’s book, “Praying the Psalms,” that was just what I needed the other night- around 3 am. This little book has a permanent place on my nightstand. Commenting on Psalm 101, from the Book of Psalms in the Bible, Peterson writes that the Scripture “puts steel into every resolve to do a difficult job well to the glory of God.”  Part of Psalm 101 reads: “I will behave wisely and in a perfect way. O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” What God calls us to do, and at times endure, is often hard. Sometimes, it is very hard.  It is said that God never gives us more than we can handle, but it doesn’t always feel that way. When I get cranky about putting God's interests before my own, Peterson offers this reminder: “we do the job well for the glory of God.” That’s the point. Doing God’s work is at the heart of our faith. Unlike any other King before or since, Jesus refers to himself as a servant. He calls us to be the same. The rub is, that for most of us, it is not second nature to put others first. But the good news is that “doing good” is habit-forming, once we experience how great it feels. Just like exercise. Working out is strenuous and tiring. And then we’re sore! I mean, who would choose that over a comfortable couch and a bowl of chips? But before long, exercise doesn’t feel bad doing it- it feels bad not doing it. The deepest and longest-lasting rewards result from acting in accord with God’s will. Just like exercising, it's good for us. So, keep your antenna tuned. The work we’re called to do changes the world and transforms our own lives from the ordinary to the transcendent. The Scripture is from Luke 9: Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

I think Jesus is saying that His way is not the easy way. We may have to sacrifice things we want and follow a path that doesn’t seem to be in our own best interest, at least at first, but the payoff is soul satisfying. This prayer, also by Peterson, gets to the essence of our walk with God and serves as a pretty good reminder if you ever need one at 3 am: “Father, you have given me work to do: give me also the ethical stamina to do it right. No work will be a burden as long as I know I am sharing your will; no task will be demeaning when I know that I am participating in your ways. For Jesus’ sake, amen.”  I hope you are where God wants you to be and that you can feel his loving hand on your shoulder through it all. The song pairing is an acoustic demo: “The Call.”

Until next time, stay safe, be brave, and keep walking in the light.

The Call
The call, the call,
low in your ear or loud like a thunderball
the call, the call
low in your ear or loud like a thunderball, the call

Called to serve, called to love
Called to listen to our Lord above
Called to serve, called to love
Called to listen to our Lord above, the call

So listen to your call
tie your shoes and stand up tall
listen, to your call
tie your shoes and stand up tall
The call....