Retrograde

I could hear the gears of my American perspective slowly grinding to a halt. That “always having something to do, where are we going next, in a hurry and not really knowing why” mentality. My custom was to drag race through every task and project. You know… “Git r done!” Take out the trash? Check. Pull these weeds? You got it. Grab a tool? Will do. Cause faster is better right? I quickly caught light that there was a different philosophy in the San Miguel valley. I had joined a community whose days are dedicated to the development of a Bible College. And development doesn’t necessarily mean faster. Rather that the work be done as unto the Lord.

COMMUNITY

Each morning begins with the rhythmic gong of the dinner bell summoning all to the kitchen. One by one we make our way from our casitas, trailers, and dorms. Breakfast consists of anything from cereal to tacos and salsa. After we have well eaten and refill our coffee cups, we open our Bibles and turn our attention upon the Lord. Some mornings we each read scripture aloud, we sing or someone leads a devotion. We all share and all head to the field. We work construction hanging drywall or mudding the current dorm project. Some of us are clearing a field of weeds the size of trees (no kidding) or are in the kitchen prepping the next meal. We work together. Eat together. Pray together. And play Skip-Bo together.

I like what Henri Nouwen has to say about community: “Though it’s not easy, Jesus calls us to live together as a family of faith and commitment. In community we learn what it means to confess our weakness and to forgive each other. In community we discover what it means to let go of our self-will and to really live for others. In community we learn true humility. People of faith need community, for without it we become individualistic and, at times, egocentric.”

In the land where I’ve come, production is everything. If you’re not producing you’re consuming.“What are you doing for society? How is your pace? Are you breaking new ground?” All of which have been questions I have checked myself with spiritually. I don’t want to not produce. (John 15) I want to abound in the Lord! But joining the CCBC staff was like retrograde. God was quieting my heart. Stilling my soul.I sat quietly at lunch, sipping fruit punch and crunching on a tostada. I was facing a wall with a strange wooden contraption and beneath it a verse in Spanish. “Mateo 11:28-29: Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso. Carguen con mi yugo y aprendan de mí, pues yo soy apacible y humilde de corazón, y encontrarán descanso para su alma.” I looked up the verse (cause I’m a newbie to Espanol) It read: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The wooden contraption on the wall was an oxen yoke. And if you know anything about farming, two or more oxen are attached by yoke to till the ground for planting a harvest. It is necessary that the oxen be equally yoked. If one is too jazzed up and the other not so much, you’ll have oxen spinning donuts in the field. One getting ahead of the other.

WITH JESUS & OTHERS

The Lord spoke so quietly while at the lunch table: “Walk with Me.” To let His yoke rest upon my shoulders and learn from Him. To not get ahead of him but to be in step with Him. For me it’s so easy to ask the Lord, “what can I do for you?” and to offer bright ideas. But like the Apostle Peter I often end up with my foot in my mouth. (Matt. 17:4) What I love about this yoke picture is that it shows us not only do we work unto the Lord, but with the Lord. He is plowing the field right next to us. We are His co-laborers. The Lord sets the pace. He turns when we should turn. And we stop when He stops. We are to move with the Lord and learn from His ways.

And not only with the Lord, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we labor together unto the Lord. The weight of ministry dispersed among many shoulders is far lighter than carrying the load alone. We were never meant to do it alone. Though I think American culture applauds those that stand out by themselves. Trail-Blazers. King of the Hill. Though, the only King of the Hill is Jesus, who conquered sin on Calvary’s hill. We labor together for the King of Kings. God doesn’t need all-stars.

His yoke is so easy. To be with Him. Walk with Him. Love Him. His burden is light. We work “…Not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit.” (Zech. 4:6)