Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Years ago, while attending seminary, a friend of mine who was already serving as a pastor said, “With every passing year I pray less to be successful and more to be faithful in ministry.” I didn’t fully understand that statement at the time, but it has always stuck with me. And with every passing year, as it did with him, that statement gains depth and meaning.
To be faithful over the long haul is no small thing in the Christian life. So many distractions and temptations pull at our hearts. Or as we saw Sunday, there are even those seeking to make Christians suffer for their faith. Last month our memory verse served as a reminder of this truth: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” In the midst of the madness of this world, we keep pressing on toward Christ, rather than all the other things that seem to define success.
Last week our church lost one of our most faithful members. Emogene Clay was a member of Valley View for over SIXTY years, having joined the church in November of 1958 (Eddie Lee looked it up). Her life and service here sums up the phrase “Long obedience in the same direction.” I remember her teaching some of my classes as a kid, and her sons were influential in my life in student ministry as volunteers and counselors. She was one of the first people to greet me as the new pastor at Valley View. She always went out of her way to tell me, usually with a tremble in her voice, how often she prayed for me. Up until a year ago, when her mind began to decline, she would read a book a day and was dedicated to attending every Sunday.
I pray we are all able to somehow model Emogene’s faithfulness in our lives. I know December is a busy, trying time for many. But let’s keep pressing on and pursuing faithfulness and joy during this season that is meant to remind us of the One who showed the ultimate act of faithfulness!