We live and work in a mobile culture, from the technology at our fingertips to the jobs we strive after. Yet, all this mobility causes us to look for the next best thing and move on from where we stand. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove in his new book The Wisdom of Stability seeks to counter the idea of unending mobility by showing that finding our roots in stability really does make a drastic difference. Early on he says, "Christian wisdom about stability points us toward the true peace that is possible when our spirits are stilled and our feet are planted in a place we know to be holy ground" (13). Being rooted in the love of God, Christians are able to build roots in a specific place and begin ministering out of those firmly laid anchors. Hartgrove goes onto point out that being rooted in the love of God is closely connected to being rooted in community. In fact, it is unthinkable to understand life in the Spirit, life as a practicing believer apart from other believers (21). The beauty of this idea is the mutual sharing that takes place when like-minded believers open up their lives (sin and all)to one another. Yet, this kind of honest, soberminded faith is not easy. Hartgrove reminds us, "Choosing a spirituality that works for me is so much easier than dealing with the people who show up at the church in my neighborhood" (22). Laying down roots in a particular community and ministering to the people in the community is much like planting a tree in a family of trees in the forest. The planted tree will inevitably have difficult adjusting to the climate, the other vegetation and animal life, and yet he will be involved in the mutual activity of growth, struggle, and care. In much the same way, laying a foundation in a community and watching it grow will bring peace and frustration, joy and heartache, but in the process will provide stability.
One of the uplifting and challenging parts of the book for me was the section on stability as a craft. Hartgrove seeks to find wisdom in the rhythms of life. Part of these rhythms is buiilding a life of prayer. Drawing upon the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, Hartgrove distills the beauty and solidarity of a regular life of prayer that brings us community with others and with God. Yet, there is always an internal tension that we face in our culture of busybodies and multi-tasking. Not only do we fail to spend adequate time in prayer, but our time in prayer is often in a head to head battle with our desire to continue performing more tasks and being in tune with the technological temptations at the door. Yet, "Over time, we can see how the gift of a rhythm of life with God transforms a community and the world around it" (73). Hartgrove goes onto reference the Sant'Egidio community that started in Rome as student protesters and subsequently has turned into communities all over chanting psalsm and singing hymns (73). Building a rhythm to the spiritual life adds strength to our moral fiber and in turn causes us to radiate with acts of lovingkindess to our neighbors.
I enjoyed this book immensely! I learned much about the desert fathers and mothers of our faith and the wisdom from them. Secondly, Hartgrove makes some key points that I think are necessary for the church to continue its witness in the world. One, stability is not archaic or old fashioned but provides a necessary rhythm to life and growth in our spiritual lives that causes us to flourish. Secondly, stability cannot be sustained without honest, loving relationships with other believers. People grow in their faith as they are held accountable by brothers and sisters in Christ. Lastly, stability is knowing where you are and ministering to those right where you live. We do not need to go to East Africa to bear witness in word and deed to our faith. This book is great for pastors, missionaries, teachers and those interested in the learning more faith.
Much thanks to Paraclete Press for the review copy.
One of the uplifting and challenging parts of the book for me was the section on stability as a craft. Hartgrove seeks to find wisdom in the rhythms of life. Part of these rhythms is buiilding a life of prayer. Drawing upon the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, Hartgrove distills the beauty and solidarity of a regular life of prayer that brings us community with others and with God. Yet, there is always an internal tension that we face in our culture of busybodies and multi-tasking. Not only do we fail to spend adequate time in prayer, but our time in prayer is often in a head to head battle with our desire to continue performing more tasks and being in tune with the technological temptations at the door. Yet, "Over time, we can see how the gift of a rhythm of life with God transforms a community and the world around it" (73). Hartgrove goes onto reference the Sant'Egidio community that started in Rome as student protesters and subsequently has turned into communities all over chanting psalsm and singing hymns (73). Building a rhythm to the spiritual life adds strength to our moral fiber and in turn causes us to radiate with acts of lovingkindess to our neighbors.
I enjoyed this book immensely! I learned much about the desert fathers and mothers of our faith and the wisdom from them. Secondly, Hartgrove makes some key points that I think are necessary for the church to continue its witness in the world. One, stability is not archaic or old fashioned but provides a necessary rhythm to life and growth in our spiritual lives that causes us to flourish. Secondly, stability cannot be sustained without honest, loving relationships with other believers. People grow in their faith as they are held accountable by brothers and sisters in Christ. Lastly, stability is knowing where you are and ministering to those right where you live. We do not need to go to East Africa to bear witness in word and deed to our faith. This book is great for pastors, missionaries, teachers and those interested in the learning more faith.
Much thanks to Paraclete Press for the review copy.
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