The Slow Work of God

Saunter is a word which has its origin in the Middle Ages.  When people were on pilgrimages to different holy places, and would pass through towns along the way, villagers would ask where they were going.  They would reply, "A la sainte terre,"  - to the Holy Land.  They became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers.  Thus,  a slower and more reflective pace has often been associated with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Yesterday, we started our day at the top of Masada.  It is what remains of a vast palace fortress with an equally vast history.  Built by the slaves of King Herod, it is hard to fathom the amount of slow, back breaking work it took not only to build the walls but also to bring water to this high mountain plateau.  Historically, Masada was also the home to 960 Jewish Zealots who watched for over a year while the Roman legion slowly built a siege ramp, tower and battering ram in order to overtake them in 73 A.D.  Instead of being taken captive, this group of extremists chose to die by their own hand at Masada.  It is both an awe inspiring and somber place.  There was a lot to see and so some of our group went quickly from place to place and then hiked down the mountain side "snake path" to the bottom.  Others in our group took a slower more deliberate pace.

Our devotions for the day included this quote from Albert Palmer, "There are people who "hike" though life.  They measure life in terms of money and amusement, they rush along the trail of life feverishly seeking to make a dollar or gratify an appetite.  How much better to "saunter" along this trail of life to measure it in terms of beauty and love and friendship.  How much finer to take time to know and understand the men and women along the way, to stop a while and let the beauty of the sunset possess the soul, to listen to what the trees are saying and the songs of the birds, and to gather the fragrant little flowers that bloom all along the trail of life for those who have eyes to see!"

As I "sauntered" around Masada, I was struck by the idea that perhaps our God who "is a mighty fortress" is also more inclined to move slowly.  We expect instant results.  We want things to happen - now!  And yet our God is always at work, sometimes with quick results but more often in slow, inconceivable, invisible ways.  Whether we hike or saunter through life, there is also the slow work of God that is happening in us and around us.  I have often become impatient with the slow work of God.  I like quicker results.   Yet the older I get the more thankful I am that God also never stops working.   A trip like ours to the Holy Land can be an intense fast few days.  At the same time, the growth, the learning, the openness to new ideas are all part of the slow work of God that will continue for years to come.