THE WISDOM OF EACH OTHER

– A Conversation between Spiritual Friends

By EUGENE H. PETERSON

                                                              

Eugene H. Peterson is no stranger to many of us. Arguably, his most famous writing is ‘The Message’, a contemporary translation of the New Testament into North American English.

But several of his other books are more endearing (to me).  

This is one of them.

Some years ago, ‘The Wisdom of Each Other’ was being sold for just RM12/- (hard copy). I bought one; it has been one of my best book buys.  Over the years, I have read my own book over and over again and lent it out to so many others. Now it is discoloured, stained (isn’t this gravy?), scribbled on, dog-eared… still precious, the love affair not over by any means.

 It also made a fantastic gift, and that Christmas many copies circulated in Calvary Church. 

Then a friend left another copy on my bookshelf ….. (surely God!) so I now have two.

But before you rush out to buy a copy, I must state that it was not every person’s cup of tea.  I overheard at least one person who did not see much value in the book, so be forewarned.  Perhaps borrow a copy?

Peterson agrees that the major forms of Christian communication by words are necessarily preaching and teaching.  He proposes that spiritual conversations between friends  are also important and quieter ways by which words help us in the actual living out of a life of faith – as questions, comments, ruminations, counsel, suggestions – conveying much in things not said as in those said. He demonstrates this wonderfully through a series of letters between him (occupation:  pastor) and an imaginary someone called Gunnar Thorkildsson (occupation: scientist) who became Christian later in life.  These letters are realistic written conversations on actual everyday life with (or without) God, that Peterson says is a gleaning from countless actual encounters with real men and women in his years as a pastor; this  is the treasure between the book covers. 
Is God a background resource that provides the ideas and energy that I take charge of and arrange as I see fit” ? (Emphases mine; Foreword -Pg 12 in my book).  Or is He the driving force?  
When life becomes  unpredictable and, well, messy, are we ready to embrace what the Spirit has in store (messiness and all), or do we try our best to restore the status quo, and reject the possible adventure He has laid before us?  In our spirit, are we in a posture of constant readiness to respond to the call of the Spirit?
Spiritual conversations, such as the ones in this book, are one of the ways believers use to stay in a constant state of readiness, to hear, and respond, to the Spirit's call, whenever it comes. 

It is a slim volume that belies the weight of its contents.  Feel it; smell it; read every word on every page, and I mean every word, including the ‘business’ bits – for example: continued on the back flap; (especially so, do not leave out the Foreword and the Introduction); but when you reach the actual letters, don’t be greedy, neither hasty.  Read only one letter a sitting.  Allow an actual time lapse between one and the next, imagining the need to receive a response, and then the penning of a fresh letter.

And while you are waiting for the next letter, think about what has passed between the two men.  And between the Spirit and you.

I speak of the unremarked

Forces that split the heart

                                                                        And make the pavement toss _

                     Forces concealed in quiet

                                                                      People and plants……….

‘Chinese Banyan’

Poem by William Meredith

Page 32 in my book

               

Dolly Chye

May 2011