Burning in My Bones
By Ryan Dawson
Lately, I’ve been reading A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson, written by Winn Collier. It’s a beautifully written, deeply human account of a man who quietly and faithfully walked with Jesus over a lifetime. What’s striking about Peterson’s life isn’t flashy ministry success or public fame—it’s his consistency. His integrity. His pastor’s heart. His long obedience in the same direction.
That phrase—a long obedience in the same direction—comes from a book Peterson wrote in 1980, and it’s been echoing in my heart ever since. In a world that celebrates instant results, viral influence, and quick wins, Peterson reminds us of the slow, steady, often hidden work of following Jesus. A life of discipleship isn’t about the mountaintop moments—it’s about daily choosing to trust Christ, even when the path is hard, or the fruit seems slow in coming.
Peterson is also the one behind The Message, which is his paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary language. It’s one of my favourites, and I use it often. There’s something raw and real about the way The Message captures the heart of Scripture. It doesn’t dilute the truth; it just helps it hit home in a fresh way. It reflects the kind of earthy, honest faith Eugene lived—a faith not removed from real life, but immersed in it.
Reading his story has challenged me. Am I willing to follow Jesus over the long haul? Am I content to be faithful, even if I’m not always noticed, or seen as successful? Am I trusting Christ with the results, rather than trying to control the outcomes? Peterson's life is a quiet reminder that God’s way is often slower, deeper, and more transforming than we expect. And it’s worth it.
So, if you're in a season where the road feels long, or the fruit feels small—keep walking. Jesus is with you. And a long obedience in the same direction is never wasted.
Blessings, Ryan
Lately, I’ve been reading A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson, written by Winn Collier. It’s a beautifully written, deeply human account of a man who quietly and faithfully walked with Jesus over a lifetime. What’s striking about Peterson’s life isn’t flashy ministry success or public fame—it’s his consistency. His integrity. His pastor’s heart. His long obedience in the same direction.
That phrase—a long obedience in the same direction—comes from a book Peterson wrote in 1980, and it’s been echoing in my heart ever since. In a world that celebrates instant results, viral influence, and quick wins, Peterson reminds us of the slow, steady, often hidden work of following Jesus. A life of discipleship isn’t about the mountaintop moments—it’s about daily choosing to trust Christ, even when the path is hard, or the fruit seems slow in coming.
Peterson is also the one behind The Message, which is his paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary language. It’s one of my favourites, and I use it often. There’s something raw and real about the way The Message captures the heart of Scripture. It doesn’t dilute the truth; it just helps it hit home in a fresh way. It reflects the kind of earthy, honest faith Eugene lived—a faith not removed from real life, but immersed in it.
Reading his story has challenged me. Am I willing to follow Jesus over the long haul? Am I content to be faithful, even if I’m not always noticed, or seen as successful? Am I trusting Christ with the results, rather than trying to control the outcomes? Peterson's life is a quiet reminder that God’s way is often slower, deeper, and more transforming than we expect. And it’s worth it.
So, if you're in a season where the road feels long, or the fruit feels small—keep walking. Jesus is with you. And a long obedience in the same direction is never wasted.
Blessings, Ryan