Following the death of Moses, Joshua led the nomadic nation of Israel across the Jordan River and into Canaan. At Joshua's direction, the priests cautiously stepped into the midst of the raging waters of the Jordan, bearing the Ark of the Covenant. The torrent deferred to the presence of the Ark; the waters retreated and the riverbed downstream dried up. For the next several hours, Israel trekked past the Ark in the midst of the thirsty riverbed and entered the land of promise. Following the procession, a representative of each of the twelve ancient families of Israel chose a large stone from the dry riverbed. That night, the twelve stones were set up as a memorial to future generations of the day's remarkable events (Joshua 4:21b-24). Stones of remembrance.

In advance of another birthday--this year I reach the speed limit, I reflect upon stones of remembrance--milestones of learning that have shaped my mind and heart.

Milestone one...

Two transformative questions from my youth: One, why didn't God give us chapters and bulleted lists to codify our beliefs? A book that would anticipate every question that readers from every age and culture might ask? And, two, why can't the Bible be read and understood like any other book?

The United States Government Printing Office publishes just such a work as I, in my youth, imagined the Bible ought to be. It's called the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and it codifies the regulations that govern the United States of America. As of 2013, the CFR is divided into fifty titles including two hundred volumes and just under 170,000 pages. (And, of late, it's been growing by thousands of pages annually.) Unlike the Bible, the CFR is virtually impossible to read from cover to cover--or, more accurately, from cover to cover to cover to cover...ad infinitum. And it's virtually impossible to develop a relationship with the author of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Bible, by contrast, was written as a storybook by a Master Storyteller who longs for relationship with his readers. And, in spite of our ill-conceived intimidation, the Bible can be--and indeed was intended to be--read and understood like any other book.

Milestone two...

Reading the Bible from cover to cover offers information; reading it as from lover to lover offers transformation. Both, by the by, are essential in developing a relationship with its author. A relationship that engages both the mind and the heart.

Milestone three...

The history and the written correspondence of the prophets--of both the Old and New Testaments--weave together to form a tapestry of story. The historical books of the Old Testament include Genesis through Esther. The historical books of the New Testament include Matthew through Acts. The writings of the prophets, comprising the balance of each testament, are best understood within the context of the historical books. Together, the history and the written correspondence of the prophets can be weaved together to form an astonishing, living narrative.

Milestone four...

The story of scripture is the story of God's relentless pursuit of reconciliation. Of God and man. Indeed, of heaven and earth. Of man and man. A story that continues to this day. The story of scripture, therefore, is so much larger than the story of "me" fleeing the flames. It's difficult, if not impossible, to live an other-oriented life for a self-oriented purpose.

Milestone five...

One evening I realized that my earthly father could no longer be for me who my heavenly father has always longed to be for me. That only God can--with truth and grace--fully nurture and teach me.

I was in my early twenties, struggling to overcome the consequences of poor choices. Very poor choices. One autumn evening in those distant days, I was despondent. I made the short walk through the gathering gloam to my parents' home. My hope was to find some comfort, some hope, from my lovely, supportive father. As I turned up the walk to their home, my father was, ironically, carrying a bag of trash out to the street. As we met, without pausing for an answer, he absently said, "How are you doing?" In my self-absorption, not realizing his question was rhetorical, I responded, "I'm about as low as I've ever been." My father continued on, bearing his garbage, and replied with resignation, "Well, that's life. Get used to it."  

I'm guessing my father was having a bad day as well. That autumn evening was devastating. It was the evening I first sensed that my father shared my own vulnerabilities; and yet, thankfully, it was that very evening that my loving and supportive--albeit vulnerable--father inadvertently surrendered me to the care and provision of my heavenly Father.

Milestone six...

Elijah found God--not as Moses witnessed God; not in the windstorm, or in the earthquake, or in the fire--but in the gentle whisper, in the quietude.  

Francois Fenelon observed, "God does not cease speaking, but the noise of the creatures without, and of our passion within, deafens us, and stops our hearing. We must silence every creature, we must silence ourselves, to hear in the deep hush of the whole soul, the ineffable voice of the spouse. We must bend the ear, because it is a gentle and delicate voice, only heard by those who no longer hear anything else." Blaise Pascal wrote, "The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room." 

Milestone seven...

There is an essential, transformative nature to the two greatest commandments--love God; love neighbor. Three examples: First, transformation happens from heart (desires, passions) to soul (inner man, character) to mind (intellect, thoughts, feelings) to strength (outer man, behavior): from the inside out. Second, my relationships with others (my "neighbors") reflect, and sometimes even betray, my perception of and my relationship with God. Third, the greatest commands of God are, in reality, the hard-wired desires of my heart. (How good would life be if all of our obligations were rooted in desire!)

Milestone eight...

God is more disappointed by the failure of my redeemed spirit to show justice, kindness, and mercy than by the weakness of my unredeemed body. "Love covers a multitude of sin." God's words, not mine.

Milestone nine...

"Mercy triumphs over judgment." Again, God's words, not mine. I can hold and declare a full hand of heartfelt convictions while choosing not to play the judgment card.

Milestone ten...

I can identify my values, gifts, and personality without seeking to define my purpose. That is, I can define who I am without limiting what I might do. To seek to define purpose may well limit my ability to be present and to attend to what God places in my path in this moment...and in this one. To seek to define purpose may well be an attempt to live by faith...by sight. Maybe I'll write a book entitled--no disrespect intended, The Purpose-Riven Life.

Milestone eleven...

God's imagination is greater than my imagination. (How might we limit God by our prescriptive prayers...by our interpretation of his providence...by, again, presuming to define our purpose?) Break God out of your box. Stand in "aha!" and awe.

Milestone twelve...

Since the resurrection of Jesus, death can break our hearts, but death cannot diminish our hope.

Life is good. What are your milestones of faith?