Susan Lafferty“What’s it like entering a new country and culture. How do you prepare?” Her questions take me back to the early days. Of crossing borders and dwelling in the land.
My reading the next day is Joshua 1-4. God’s people are leaving their wilderness wanderings and entering the promised land.
The context and purpose differs, but in the preparation of God’s people, I find strategic practices. For entering the land.
Whether that land is across the river, across the street or across the ocean.
We cross Bourbon Street to the beat. Jazz filters out of various establishments down the lane and around the corners.
Colorful lights and tunes draw us into the restaurant. Our party of six is ushered up narrow wooden steps to one of several dining rooms on the second floor.
Derrick the waiter greets us. And proceeds to describe the night’s special offerings in smooth, rapid New Orleans speech. We catch some of what he says, guessing at the rest. And look at the extensive menu of Cajun and Creole dishes.
After unhurried perusal, we order.
In other readings of Luke 5, I’ve passed over these words. But this time they grab my attention. Verse 1 says the crowd was “pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s Word.”
Pressing in. There’s hunger expressed in those words. A yearning for what is real and true.
I want to press in and hear God’s Word, drawing near to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Abiding.
Sometimes it’s the hunger of my soul to do so. Other times it’s the fruit of a formed habit. Pure and simple discipline.
Regardless, I know it’s essential. Necessary.