SoJournal
The SoJournal is a newsletter which is
published
on the second and last Sunday of each month and
contains
a variety of interesting articles on the life
of First Baptist Church
of Birmingham. The cover page of each issue features
special remarks
by the Pastor. The following is a sample:
-
February 13, 2005
Not long ago I was in a
conversation with someone who protested that this individual had heard
a lot of talk about faith as a journey. Such language seemed a vague
description of what it means to be a christian to that person.
As one who has often used
that frame of reference, I deeply appreciated the critique. It bears
serious consideration in the substance of the question as well as in the
importance of clarity in communication. What does it mean to see
the life of faith as a journey?
To some extent the base
of the idea lies in the Old Testament stories of Abraham and Sarah and
their progeny who over generations trekked from place to place in pursuit
of God's blessing.
Journey is especially important
in the reading of the Exodus as the children of Israel obtained freedom
from slavery in Egypt and as they wandered in that wilderness for 40 years.
However, they did, finally, arrive to a land flowing with milk and honey.
They did complete the journey in one sense of the word. But, then
again, did they?
The call of Jesus to his
disciples has that same feel of a journey. His invitation was, "Follow
me". The disciples found themselves in a relationship and in a circumstance
that was anything but static. Indeed, they were sent out into the
world with words and deeds of faith, hope and love. A new community
of people was formed with a mission that is redemptive and transformative.
They were to "seek, first God's reign..."
The point about the fuzziness
of the language regarding faith as journey is well taken: we should
never assume that one would automatically understand it. One of the
essential tasks of the church is to interpret such a stance and to recognize
that there are other descriptors of the life of faith that may stand in
tension with it.
Responding to the call of
Jesus Christ to discipleship is a life-changing event and chain of events.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: "And if we answer the call to discipleship,
where wil it lead? What decisions and partings will it demand?
To answer this question we shall have to go to him, for only he knows the
answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows the journey's
end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy.
Discipleship means joy."
It is so valuable when people
speak up and cause us to think through language that is oft used, perhaps
without offering the potential depth of the words. What will it mean
for you to follow Jesus? What will it mean for us, a community of
faith, to do so?
Wes Babian
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