The Water Is Life.

Eugene Peterson (the guy who wrote “The Message”) also wrote a book called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.  I haven’t read the book yet, but considering how convicting the title is all by itself, I can’t imagine how impacting the book will be.

Due in large part to this semester, I’ve discovered some unpleasant things about myself and my own tendencies–in particular a proneness to passivity (whoa, alliteration!), if you will.  I’m very laid-back–a “type non-A,” if there is such a thing.  This is good in regards to not freaking out about things and avoiding high blood pressure, but it begins to be a problem in the face of day-to-day responsibilities.

Given this disposition, it makes sense that I’m naturally more given to sins of omission than sins of commission.  The problem with sins of omission, of course, is that it’s often easy to rationalize away whether they were sins at all.  And even if I’m not sinning, this bent causes me to miss opportunities.  I’m kind of a sprinter with my convictions to fix the day-to-day stuff: I vow (like so many people with their New Year’s resolutions) to do astronomical good things, and then my good intentions get worn out and I run out of steam.

Now I’m in an interesting position:  Jobless, on academic probation, and more excited about this semester than any of my life.  God’s shown up to me the hard way, and I’m ready to kick the habit.  One little piece at a time.

In the meantime, read Psalm 40 in The Message.  So, so, so good.

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