Walking Otherward: Forty Meditations on Following Jesus’ Path of Other-centered, Co-suffering Love

Perhaps you’ve been captivated by Jesus for a long time or are newly intrigued by him. You already know it’s possible to be a Christian and not be very much like Jesus, but that’s not what you want. Whether through your own study or your spiritual intuition, you sense that following the way of Jesus ought to be transformational for you and for the world you inhabit.

The urgent drive of our time—to always be moving upward and forward—has already taken its toll on you. You suspect an inward focus is necessary for personal healing and growth but wonder if it makes any difference for others in the world around you. And you definitely don’t want to go backward, whether to past ways of thinking that were destructive or back to a world that is more hierarchical, violent, and exploitative. Perhaps you feel homeless spiritually and wonder which way you should go.

The gospel narrative of Jesus’ life suggests a path. Walking Otherward is a forty-day devotional that follows the Gospel texts of Jesus’ final weeks before his crucifixion. Each entry invites you to try on Jesus' attitude, setting aside self-centered, ego-defending ambition in exchange for other-centered, co-suffering love.

Rather than climbing upward, retreating backward, or withdrawing inward, Jesus' path invites us to walk otherward.

"Marc Schelske’s devotional resonates deeply for me in many registers. Each reflection begins with a probing question that invites a response from a well-chosen Gospel reading, followed by both inward and Godward reflections of our own. We’re then asked to compose an intention that orients prayers of faith to prepare us for life in the world each day. The open-hearted and open-question approach Marc offers makes this prayer book fresh every time the reader returns to it because it grows along with the devotee. Most of all, the book's Christ-centered subtitle is precisely the need of this hour. Those who claim the Christian label will do well to be re-immersed in the Jesus Way, while those who don’t will discover the path of other-centered, co-suffering love is just what they’ve longed for, regardless of their faith tradition. I know I will come back to this precious cycle of devotions repeatedly."

- Dr. Bradley Jersak, Principle, St. Stephen’s University, Author

"Reading Marc's book, I couldn't help but call to mind Rainer Rilke's quote: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves . . . the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now.” Indeed, this is what Marc has invited us into. Through the questions at the end of each devotion and the prayer of intention, the reader is invited on a journey of reflection that welcomes our living."

- Felicia Murrell, Spiritual Director, Author

"Spirituality doesn’t have to be abstract and inaccessible. Marc Schelske invites the reader on a Lenten journey with him, trusting that when we pay attention to scripture and life, we find remarkable ways God is at work. He makes that feel like the most natural thing in the world."

- Mandy Smith, Pastor, Author

"In Walking Otherward, Marc Alan Schelske guides us on a forty-day journey toward the cross with Jesus. This daily devotional, perfect for Lent or for any season of spiritual reflection, brings together scripture, reflection, journaling, and prayer to invite us to an open-handed, open-hearted exploration of the way of Jesus. These forty days will form you to walk this same path of co-suffering love."

- Susan Carson, Spiritual Director, Author, and Director of the Roots&Branches Network