"The essential thing in 'Heaven and Earth' is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction, there results, as has always resulted in the long run; something which has made life worth living." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Eugene Peterson, author and Biblical scholar, uses this idea of a "long obedience" to describe discipleship in the footsteps of Jesus. It's similar in theme to what missionary William Carey was describing when he said, "I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything."
Plodding, by the very sound of the word, conjures pictures of long, dusty - maybe it's muddy- roads. The horizons is never close when one is plodding, it's aching, footfalls away.
Like Carey said though, and Nietzsche and Peterson were getting at, it's plodding in the same direction, in the definite pursuit, that brings eternal results.
Abraham did a lot of plodding.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him on the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Hebrews 11:8-10
The rest of this well-known chapter goes on to mention many other heroes of the faith, all of whom were "commended for their faith," but none of whom received what had been promised.
Sometimes, true though the principle may be, the thought of putting one foot in front of the other with "slow, heavy steps," sounds exhausting if not impossible. So, how does one sustain a long obedience and an intentional plodding?
Plod with a direction
"'... Be strong all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'" Haggai 2:4-5
"See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire."" Hebrews 12:25-29
Look back, remember your direction and take steps to be reminded
There is a strong Biblical precedent and command to look back, remember what God has done, and be reminded.
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgements he pronounced." 1 Chronicles 16:11-12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, "We gotta hemo all da stuff dat make run slow, you know, da bad kine stuff dat jam us all up. We gotta hang in dea an finish da race dat God wen pick fo us."
