“The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is . . . that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
“A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” is a book by Eugene Peterson in which he looks at the songs of ascent (Psalms 120-134). The title of his book, borrowed from this Nietzsche quote, has always stayed with me. It is poetic. It says much about our desire for fixes. For things that are instant. Versus the life lived in long obedience. The life that held on unswervingly to the hope that we profess.
And as Five Minute Friday intersects with 31 Beauty Full Days….I of course got to thinking about the beauty of a long obedience.
Faces flash through my mind, the dancing eyes, smiles that have endured, well earned wrinkles. The settled souls, the hands that have served, the joy-filled hearts of those who persevered. Here is where I see beauty of the long obedience:
Beauty that only comes from a soul whose yes was yes and no was no.
Beauty that reveals joy down to the bone.
Beauty that never shied away from adversity.
Beauty that day after day, decision after decision, stayed the course.
Beauty that didn’t seek the spotlight, but grew in the secret places.
Beauty that encourages and speaks truth from a well lived life.
Beauty that whispers it is worth it.
Beauty that shouts songs of praise.
Beauty that calls to me, come and do the same.
Oh my, that is the beauty I want my life to be marked by, known for.
The beauty of a long obedience in the same direction.
Who comes to your mind when you think of a long obedience in the same direction? (would love to hear in the comments)
I am doing something a little different today. Have you heard of Five Minute Friday? Check it out right here. Write for 5 minutes on a one word prompt. No over-analyzing or over editing. It is an amazing community and I love to see where the word takes people. This week’s word was Long.
And so I decided to combine it with my 31 days series….and see what Beauty would surface from the prompt!
I am participating in The Nester’s 31 Days of Series. Click right here to see all the amazing topics! I am writing on 31 Beauty Full Days. You can read the intro post here. And you can also always click on the button on the sidebar to see all posts in the series.
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I too have loved this phrase. It is a challenging one but one that speaks deep. Thank you for reminding me of it. When I think of a long obedience I think about our adoption and our upcoming one.:) Stopping by from FMF.
Katie…oh yes, adoption sure is! Our son joined our family via adoption from Guatemala (in 2007). We are currently in the process of adopting a little girl who we are foster parents to. Will have to check out your journey. Thank you for visiting!
Beautiful post, and I liked the Nietzsche tag.
I have another one of Friedrich’s gems that I guess could be filed under ‘long’ – “gaze not too long into the Abyss, lest the Abyss gaze into thee”.
At present, I’m looking right into the Abyss with an illness my doctor says will kill me, and the only way to do it is to stare it down until the Abyss itself turns away in fear. I intend to live.
Doing the 31 Days series – grace quotes with commentary, on marriage. It’s at http://www.dailygracequote.wordpress.com
Finding that domain name was so cool that I just have to keep it going, with a different theme each month. It’ll be in addition to my regular blog, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart – also on marriage. This stuff is a lot of work.
Andrew
I am so glad you stopped by. It sounds like you have an amazing story. Looking forward to reading your 31 days series. I love quotes…and the places they bring us.
yeah… that is one of those phrases that just sticks with you. long obedience, persistent obedience, even when it costs. makes me think of stories i’ve heard recently from foxes’ book of martyrs.
Hi Richelle
Reading history, signing hymns…all of that brings me to place of really thinking about what this Christian journey entails.
Enjoy your weekend.
Oh I love “Beauty that never shied away from adversity.” There is much to ponder in that sentence.
Hi Jenny
When I wrote that line there was a specific couple that came to mind…and the beautiful way they have lived their life in midst of trials and heartaches.
Yes, much to ponder.
Grateful that you stopped by.
I’m a “Melanie” too! ‘
Such a great phrase, and I like the idea of thinking about what people look like who’ve lived with long obedience. I had a great aunt who is my picture of that phrase.
Blessings!
visiting from #writing31days
Hi Melanie!
I don’t know too many of us!
After I wrote this, there were a few people I shared it with, letting them know that I think of them when I hear this phrase. I am glad your great aunt came to mind.
Blessings to you as well.
I will have to find your 31 days series!
Beautiful! As I think of your question, it’s my Mom. She exudes joy, beauty, Gods love.
“Exudes joy, beauty and God’s love” What beautiful words to be able to say about your mom. I’m grateful you have her legacy.
Enjoy your weekend Tara.
Long obedience makes me think of pressing on, keeping the goal in front of me and not being distracted from doing what God has called me to do.
The image of keeping the goal in front of me resonates with me.
There are so many distractions…often times good distractions, but nevertheless, things that keep me from the way God is leading.
Thank you for commenting!
Thank you for sharing about long obedience.Long obedience is marked by the daily decisions (sometimes moment by moment decision to say yes to God, and no to selfish desires. Thank you for this reminder.
Jolene
That is so true…about it being daily (moment by moment) decisions. So often it is not the big decisions…but all the small ones that make up what our life is about.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Your post is an inspiring reminder that to just ‘keep going’ in that one direction is living life well. And your line, ‘Faces flash through my mind, the dancing eyes, smiles that have endured, well earned wrinkles.’ reminded me immediately of this stunningly beautiful Guatemalan lady on the cover of Wycliffe Bible Translators’ UK magazine: http://issuu.com/wycliffeuk/docs/wfl-nov12.
Yes, living life well. Thanks for your encouragement.
I love this picture….and do you know our son is Guatemalan?