clarifying the vision

Giving precise definition to this new vision has proved to be quite a challenge. I feel like the blind man, who, after Jesus's initial touch, saw people "like trees walking". As the healing process continues and I can see more clearly I'll let you know. But for now I have to say that it still feels like "seeing through a glass darkly." It feels very much like a pioneering process, trying to chart a course through unexplored territory. I believe this "territory" is, on the one hand, extremely vast and needing to be explored, yet on the other hand so familiar and simple that it should be as easy to recognize as the nose on our face.

What am I referring to? In the simplest language, my vision is to affirm and strengthen the connection between the physical and the spiritual (non-physical) aspects of life. One of the greatest weaknesses, I believe, of Western Christianity is its over-emphasis on the non-physical aspects of our faith. The history of the Church in the first few centuries reveals a Church that became increasingly Greco-Roman in its outlook. Much of that shift involved a jettisoning of its Hebraic roots which, by their very nature, were much more physical and literally connected to the land. More and more believers today are recognizing that this was a terrible mistake and needs correcting. But I am getting ahead of myself, so let me try to explain it more chronologically as these ideas actually began to unfold for me.

My initial awakening, if you will, to this vision that was forming within me happened when I did a word study in the Bible. I wanted to see what the Scriptures had to say about such things as "earth", "land", "countryside", etc. Just my choice of these words as a topic for Bible study obviously revealed something about me. But the more I looked at what the Bible had to say about these things the more fascinated I became. This was a huge topic in the Bible! But I had never heard any sermons or teachings on it, and the more I explored this theme the more convinced I became that there was something here that was critically important and was stirring up something deep within me. Also, a key reason for this direction that I was taking was the fact that I knew that this was a very important aspect of Becky's life. I knew that whatever vision I was developing needed to include Becky and what was vital in her life. The longer I was married to her the more aware I became that the land was part of the warp and woof of her very being. Her study of geneology has revealed to her that she comes from a long line of farmers, of country people who have lived and worked very close to the earth. My ancestry is different in that the outstanding element in my line is its involvement with the Church. For example, one of my Scottish ancestors was a mentor (to some degree anyway) to the great Scottish reformer, John Knox. But gardening must have been mixed in there somewhere because I had grandparents on both sides who loved gardening and I developed a similar interest rather young in life. But the spiritual emphasis in my background was by far the strongest factor and whatever interests there may have been in working with the land were certainly relegated to a much lower status.

So here I was: discovering that what I had viewed as being not much more than a hobby, according to the Scriptures, was actually at the very heart and core of the Biblical story and message. That was a revelation of epic proportions! It was like God was giving me permission - actually more than permission - I felt like I was virtually being commissioned to pursue doing something that deep down inside I really liked doing but was not considered (by the Christian community) "spiritual enough" to be considered a valid vocation for someone who wanted to "serve God" or be involved in "full-time Christian ministry".

As I tried to describe my newfound vision or "calling" to others I was usually greeted with a blank look that said, "I don't have a clue what you're talking about, but I'm glad you've discovered what you want to do." Occasionally we'd run in to individuals who "got it" and showed genuine enthusiasm, but they were few and far between. The leader in the church we were in who had challenged me to clarify my vision, had virtually no comment or further helpful suggestions when he heard what I had come up with. That was my first clue that this church was not going to help me realize my new goal in life. I'm sure there are churches out there that have a better grasp of this vision than I have. But I am done with pursuing other people's churches or ministries. God has placed us where He has (back on Becky's family's farm) and I believe He has a purpose for us right here in the middle of the corn and bean fields of Illinois. Maybe the best single word to describe that purpose would be "permaculture". But I will explain what I mean by that in my next posting.