It Hurts to Be Real by Beth Pyles

Working as a peacemaker in Iraq, with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), means my physical removal from the safe haven of my charge in western Virginia, a pastoral paradise, into the realities of a land in conflict beyond my former comprehension.

As I contemplate my planned return this spring (when you read this, I may already be there), I wonder yet again why I go, what we accomplish.

The simplest and most true answer is that I go because I must. This I understand to be what we Christians mean when we speak of “call,” of God’s beckoning voice challenging us to a place and time not of our own choosing, for a purpose that may or may not be clear.

Learn more about the joys and challenges Beth has experienced while living out her call to be a peacemaker. Read the full text of this article in the MarchApril issue of Horizons.

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).

Beth Pyles is an ordained PC(USA) minister and a reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams.

Photos courtesy of Christian Peacemaker Team

Other Articles Online This Issue


Learn more about the joys and challenges Beth has experienced while living out her call to be a peacemaker. Read the full text of this article in the MarchApril issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).	It Hurts to Be Real by Beth Pyles Working as a peacemaker in Iraq, with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), means my physical removal from the safe haven of my charge in western Virginia, a pastoral paradise, into the realities of a land in conflict beyond my former comprehension. As I contemplate my planned return this spring (when you read this, I may already be there), I wonder yet again why I go, what we accomplish. The simplest and most true answer is that I go because I must. This I understand to be what we Christians mean when we speak of “call,” of God’s beckoning voice challenging us to a place and time not of our own choosing, for a purpose that may or may not be clear. Learn more about the joys and challenges Beth has experienced while living out her call to be a peacemaker. Read the full text of this article in the MarchApril issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping). Beth Pyles is an ordained PC(USA) minister and a reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams. Photos courtesy of Christian Peacemaker Team Other Articles Online This Issue Vocation—Who, Me? PLSE: A New Program Helps Young Presbyterians Catch the Beat of Christian Service The Call Toward Joy God Called, I Answered! Am I a Leader? God Has Done Great Things for Me! It Hurts to Be Real "God Has a Task for Me to Finish!" Toward a More Colorful Vision of Vocation Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Nurturing Our Faith Health Connections Mosaic	Current Issue MAR/APR 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the March/April 2008 (HZN-08-210) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call (800) 524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

Home \| Current Issue \| Archives \| Bible Study \| Web Exclusives \| PW