I then made it into the town of Whytheville and its Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the intriguing conglomeration of its denominations almost compelled me to enter. Once inside its quite literally open doors, I came upon a small Bible study in progress (a Bible study that was focusing at the time on the words of Psalm 27*). I smiled and waved and introduced myself, explained the basic workings & founding intentions of my Walk, and then asked if it would be okay for me to head upstairs to rest awhile in the peaceful confines of the church’s then-empty main sanctuary. Not only did those present enthusiastically agree to let me do so, but Pastor Davis broke off his own studies to accompany me into the chamber proper and offer a quite moving (and obviously heartfelt) prayer that harmonized beautifully with the primary purpose of my Journey (“Thank you, LORD, for allowing us to wake up today – for allowing us to go forth and spread your message of Love & Joy & Kindness”) …

*As was so often the case, the more superficial reading of this particular Scripture was seemingly in direct contradiction with the teachings on humble courage and selfless service that I had been called to announce (the teachings of Paul and Revelation and much of the Old Testament were all almost exclusively not in harmony with the Gospel-cited words & deeds of Jesus Christ), and yet as was also almost always the case, a deeper, more fluid reading thereof readily allowed the two to become one …

“The Lord is my light and His perfect Love my guide and my salvation; so whom shall I fear? In truth the Love of the Lord is the stronghold of my life; so of whom shall I be afraid? I know that when evildoers assail me to devour my flesh — any one of my many adversaries and foes — they shall all stumble and fall. Indeed, though an entire army might encamp against me, my heart shall not tremble; and though a raging war might rise up before me, even then I will be steadfast. And this one thing I ask of the Lord; this one thing I seek: to live in the House of the Lord – to embody His perfect Love for all the days of my life; to behold His beauty in all the others I meet, to have the humility to act accordingly. And this will be born out, for He lives within me and will guide me to his shelter in all days of want or trouble. In all times of trial or test He will conceal me under the cover of his radiant pavilion, He will set me alongside Him, high on a mountain pinnacle, and lift my body and mind up above the enemies massed below and all around me. And I will offer shouts of joy and gratitude, and prayers of sheer resolve to ever do His loving will. So hear me, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gentle & gracious towards me and answer my summons! For it is solely your radiant being, Lord, that I seek. So do not cast me off; please do not forsake me. Inspire me towards your Love’s light, and guide me ever thereto. Teach me your son’s Way, and lead me steadfastly upon his path. Give me not up to even the most well-intended temptations of my enemies, for the false witnesses of even friend and self have risen against me, and they are all breathing out calls to sloth and violence. And yet I know that if I remain true I will indeed become an agent of the LORD, and thus bathe in the perfect goodness of the same. For you, LORD, are the regent of the land of the living even more than you are the ruler of any Hereafter. And so I stride boldly forth even while I wait for your arrival. I am strong and have taken courage. Indeed, I have given my life to you and your greatest Cause, and know that you will indeed soon arrive.” ~ inspired by Psalm 27 (NRSV)

“In any deeply open and caring fellowship, a fellowship where judgment and fear do not exist and where the truth of love is its founding substance, the Oneness of the Body (otherwise known as Community) is fully expressed. Here there is no division, and mutual support for one another is unconditionally manifested. This is the true Apostles’ Doctrine – a fellowship that the earliest adherents of Jesus (The Followers of The Way) shared and continued steadfastly, from person to every person, from house to every house … And this higher emphasis must ever be directed at the Here and Now, as Christ-embodying communities of active love in the midst of the fears & temptations of the world. And know that all of the sentient Creation is caught up in this ultimate restorative work. Indeed, the Mission of God’s people is not in any way directed at transferring people’s souls from a bad life-after-death into a halcyon life-after-death, but rather addresses and engages and hopefully lessens the injustice and violence that surround us — the poverty and the racism and the bigotry and the animal cruelty and the war and the economic exploitation and the environmental devastation. It is a Mission where justice and peace and compassion and kindness becomes the greater Salvation; it is a Mission that takes in beggar and pilgrim alike and feeds them both fully – not merely with sonorous words of praise & prayer, but with open arms & actual sustenance & a tangible shelter overhead.” ~ inspired by Henry Hon & Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt