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by Gordon S. Jackson (Author)
Sit, Stand, Walk, Run-A Vocabulary for the Christian's Journey is a compilation of 46 reflections on the different stages characterizing the believer's faith journey. These stages, or postures taken along our Christian journey, range from "Walking," which is the normal, most common quality marking our faith journeys, to "Leaping,"moments when like King David we experience great joy in our faith. Other reflections include "Baby Steps," as we begin our faith journey, to being "Rudderless,"when God asks us to journey with Him without the equivalent of our phone or GPS. Are we willing to rely totally on him and sail forward without a rudder?
Like doctors, architects, police officers and others engaged in specialized activities, theologians too have their own specialized vocabulary. But ordinary lay people don't have to have formal training in theology to benefit from knowing and using the "journey-related" terms in this book.This series of reflections can enrich our Christian journey in at least three ways. They are understanding, acting, and relating.
First, understanding the "road conditions" on our journey equips us to grasp more effectively what God is doing in our lives at any given moment. It is helpful, for example, to know the difference between the concepts of "Detours" and "Stumbling and Falling."
The second benefit relates to acting: knowing what to do in response to recognizing our current position on the journey. For instance, an expanded terminology can help us understand that being in a spiritual slump, for example, is a frequent (although unwelcome) aspect of Christian living, something we may need to address by talking our condition through with someone. Or at times "Fleeing" from a situation may be the wisest course. A diagnostic application of these reflections can help us know how to respond to our current situation. It's been said that wisdom is simply knowing what to do next. But to act wisely first requires an accurate assessment of our current situation. Knowing that we are in "Waiting" mode, for instance, reminds us to be patient until God's will for our next step becomes clear. Or perhaps we should be "Checking the Map." Simply having a concrete term to identify our current spiritual status is helpful in taking a well-informed next step.
The third benefit is the usefulness of this vocabulary in relating to others. While the concepts in the book apply to our walk, so too are they helpful for us to empathize with other Christians, where they are in their faith journeys. For example, knowing how the concept of "Deserts" applies to the Christian life may help us better relate to a friend who seems stuck in his faith. Or an understanding of "Mountaintops" might help us understand someone who is struggling to describe a profound spiritual "high."
Having a richer vocabulary that describes our Christian journey therefore enables us to better understand our ever deepening relationship with God our Father. Sit, Stand, Walk, Run provides the reader with that expanded vocabulary.
