As we come to the end of 2009 and look forward to 2010, I continue to ponder what the future will look like immediately and ultimately. I believe this is an important focus for reflection cosmologically, globally, ecclesiologically, and very, very personally. I continue to seek God's future call for me as one who is deeply and passionately seeking to follow Jesus. I continue to place my faith, hope and trust in the triune God to give me the grace and courage to lead me into that next call. To that end, more recently I was watching a great new program on the Sundance Channel entitled "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." and his first guest was Bono and the Edge from U2 (www.sundancechannel.com/series/spectacle) and Bono made the most incredible quote from Frederich Nietzche which was far more familiar to me from the Christian classic book by Eugene Peterson than my reading Nietzche (although I have read extensively from both). He (Bono) was speaking of why U2 does what it does and what the 'secret' was for their longevity as a band personally, musically, socially and culturally. What was the quote?
"The essential thing 'in heaven and earth' is. . . that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living."
What does it mean to live into the future and the call of God? A life of long obedience in the same direction for it is essential to life here on earth as it is in heaven and which will lead in the long run to a life worth living. What a great word to each of us as to what life is all about in Christ. In 2010, may it be so for me, for each of you, for the church and for the whole world.
Bono is a big fan of Peterson and the Message, so maybe he got the quote from the same book as you!
Posted by: Steve Aeschbacher | January 19, 2010 at 08:39 AM