Prompted by Sarah Sellars blog, who are our heroes in the faith? I have reflected on my own book, Emmaus,[1] to which Sarah referred in her blog. Sarah has reflected on my emphasis of following the example of Jesus… with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road: listening to people; sharing our understanding of God with them; and being prepared to spend time with them.
Let me share another story from my book. A year-long conversation with Bob Morris, in 2018/9. Bob was the Youth and Children’s pastor at Cirencester Baptist Church; he was a founding member of the Children Youth and Families Round Table of the Baptists Together and chaired the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Youth and Children’s Committee. I got to know him, his fervent commitment to Christ, his passionate concern for young people, and his wonderful sense of humour through working with him on the executive of the (EBF). Bob took seriously ill during a meeting in Lviv, Ukraine in September 2018. For the next ten months he underwent treatment for a brain tumour and passed away on 13 July 2019. He was only 50 years old.
We had our conversations weekly by email, as a part of our continuing friendship. Early in 2019 Bob wrote about a book that he had found helpful, by Craig Groeschel [2]. Groeschel bases his book on the prophecy of Habakkuk, which is composed of three short chapters: in the first Habakkuk is doubting, in the second he is waiting and in the third he is embracing the goodness of God. Bob reflected, ‘you cannot have a “chapter 3” type of faith until you’ve had a “chapter 1” type of question and a “chapter 2” type of waiting.’
This is because God can do more in your spiritual valley than He can on your mountaintop experience! Bob said…, I have definitely had a “chapter 1 type of question” – “What’s this tumour, radiotherapy and chemotherapy all about God?” I have definitely had some “Chapter 2 waiting”, and I am still in that position really as I continue to undergo chemotherapy in the weeks to come. I am hopeful for some more “Chapter 3 type of faith!” I say “more” because I haven’t lost my faith through this but have realised there is more to come with God and that is an exciting prospect! – embracing the goodness of God. I have walked with God through enough “yesterdays” to trust him with all my “tomorrows”.
Bob finished this email with a direct quote from Groeschel: You can have hope in the dark because as you grow to know God, He will reveal even more of His love, His faithfulness and His grace. And over time you will realise, believe and embrace that even when life is difficult, God is still good!
Bob went to be with the Lord seven months after writing this.
For his daily meditation on 20th February 2024 Richard Rohr wrote:
Those who have trusted their lives to Christ find a much bigger world of endurance, meaning, hope, self-esteem, deeper and true desire, and, most especially, a bottomless pool of love both within and without. Their treasure hunt is over; they are home, and home free! This deep transformation isn’t achieved by magic or miracles or priestcraft but by a vital spiritual experience that is available to all human beings. It leads to an emotional sobriety, an immense freedom, a natural compassion, and a sense of divine union that is the deepest and most universal meaning of that much-used word salvation. [3]
My good friend Bob Morris knew this. May we each know God’s presence in times of questioning and waiting and share in the salvation peace that comes through real faith in Christ.
Let me conclude with a prayer for our own journey, by my former colleague Simon Woodman [4]:
Lord of the Journey:
the road ahead is as yet unseen,
yet the destination is clearly in sight.
You call us to follow the mysterious path.
The road ahead is a journey unknown,
yet you promise we will not travel alone.
You call us to tread the difficult path.
The road ahead is both tiring and long,
yet you lead us beside the still waters of rest.
You call us to walk the beautiful path.
The road ahead always rises to meet us,
with the light of Christ shining always before us.
You call us to follow your path.
So, we choose life and blessing through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Every blessing for 2026.
References
[1] John Weaver, Emmaus. Journeying toward and onward from Emmaus, Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2022.
[2] Craig Groeschel, Hope in the Dark. Believing God is good when life is not, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
[3] Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water. Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Albuquerque: The Centre for Action and Contemplation, pp. 116-117 Five Points Rd SW
[4 Karen E Smith & Simon Woodman, Prayers of the People, Oxford: Regent’s Park College, p.104
John Weaver is a geologist, author retired Baptist Minister, former South Wales College Principal, and an active environmentalist.
Note: This is a response to Sarah Sellars PS blog which you can read here.
Please note that the statements and views expressed in this article of those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Contemporary Christianity.
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