of vows and saints

Tonight Mel and I will take our Oaken vows. These are commitments we feel it is appropriate to make in front of “The Sacred Trinity and Christ’s flock” (lines from the vows) as a somewhat specific definition of who we are in Christ and how that identity affects our world. The vows stand on the Hebraic imagery of these four legs:

shema - hear and obey
anawim – the lowly or groaning ones
shalom – welcoming, blessing
yobel – horn proclamation of atonement

Both exciting and daunting, in no way do I claim mastery over these areas. I am a mere foal in the flock, looking for the guidance to greener pastures from shepherd and herd, while standing on these fresh legs. This oath represents a almost two year’s worth of challenge and construction as we have planned to build new structures upon foundational beginnings laid (what seems like) long ago.

Part of our vow-taking consists of choosing different “saints” as our “patrons.” We’re doing this that we might feel an increased kinship with and inspiration from the wealth of history found within “Christ’s flock.”

My saint – though not Catholic, dead or recognized in any “official” way – is Bruce Olson. His life’s mission revolved around a call at the age of 19 to go to South America’s Motilone Indian tribe. He was the first non-indigenous person to live among, learn from and eventually help teach the tribe. His patient life allowed for the storytelling (or interpreting), which helped his Indian friends come to know Jesus as a Motilone. Bruchko tells the story in far more intriguing detail.

Hats off to you, Bruchko. Your faith challenges me. Your dedication dares me. Your tender and tangible love overflows like that of Christ. We will more than likely never meet, but know that your life is a fantastic testimony to God’s faithfulness, Christ’s mercy, and the Spirit’s power.

Grace and Peace to you and to the Motilones.