The words of George Fox come to us all the way from 17th century Puritan England. Fox founded the Society of Friends (Quakers) and was well known for courage and faithfulness. He was one with a passion for "Christ living and present among you."
George Fox has written you a letter in these pages (Devotional Classics, p. 186). What is your response?
A few questions you might think about:
- Section 1: In what ways do you see "the living God" giving you "breath, life, and strength"?
- Section 2: What are the attitudes and actions that might make possible Fox's Christian community, astonishing the world with their life together?
- Section 3: How would your daily life change if you sought to owe no one "anything but love"?
Next week we will read John Wesley on loving one another.
Schedule of readings
Schedule of readings
1 comment:
• Section 1: In what ways do you see "the living God" giving you "breath, life, and strength"?
o While work and care are incumbent upon us as citizens of God’s Kingdom, the material with which we work and the people that we care for with our work all have their origins far beyond us. All good and growing things, all light and nourishment are gifts of God freely given to all, the good and the bad and the indifferent. We may plant and water the seed but God gives it growth into the plant from which we make our daily bread.
o God’s gifts of breath, life, and strength are also the foundation of our relationship with God and with our fellow creatures.
God’s claim on us to worship God is not a random or unfounded claim. As the source of all, as the source of both ourselves and the world whose fruits we enjoy God is our Creator with a legitimate claim on our devotion.
God’s abundance is overwhelming and his generosity and care are complete. If there is lack or hunger or suffering in this world it is the fault of us, the distributors, not of God, the Manufacturer. God has equitably created enough for all; who are we to grasp and hoard? Share with others what has been shared with us. From each according to their ability; to each according to their need.
o God’s ongoing gifts of breath, life, and strength are recurring signs of God’s care for us. We are not called to self sufficiency; we are called to worship the living God. Will not the God who gives us breath and life and strength also not provide with all are other true requirements? Worry gains us nothing. Indulging in worry is indulging in the myth that we are sufficient for our own needs and denies the sovereignty of God the Creator.
• Section 2: What are the attitudes and actions that might make possible Fox's Christian community, astonishing the world with their life together?
o Cleary in these post-Missional times Witness by verbal testimony is bankrupt, if not downright immoral. The cooperation between colonialist and imperialist forces and the missionary branches of the mainline denominations is a sinful shame so overwhelming that in my mind the missionary tools used in these endeavors are now permanently tainted and off limits for our use. The attitudes and actions we need now would be characterized by the following:
Attitudes and actions would reign, not words. Authentic Christianity would astonish by our acts of love, performed without thought of gain or advantage. We would see the kind of truthful action evidenced by the early martyrs that so convicted the witnesses of their martyrdom.
We would visit the sick and imprisoned, clothe the nekkid, feed the hungry and comfort the sad and the dying in way that offered maximum comfort and respite accompanied by minimum benefit to ourselves.
Also, we would cast aside all weapons and all habits of self-defense and embrace our roles as citizens in the Peaceable Kingdom. Can you imagine the impact on the world if the US military went about its missions unarmed? What would be the power of such an action on our part?
• Section 5: How would your daily life change if you sought to owe no one "anything but love"?
o If I acted in this way toward God; if I gave up bargaining and whining and responded to God only out of love it would transform my current relationship with God from one of Parent and Rebellious Child to that of Bride and Bridegroom! If I acted this way with God I would no longer be acting like the horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to remain by God’s side.
o If I acted this way toward the world I would be crucified! How often, even with (most especially with!) our families, do we trade love and affection for approval? We behave in expected/accepted ways in order to get something in return, whether it be a paycheck or spousal affection. By opting out of these powerful though unspoken arrangements with the world we would be placing folks on new ground and allowing ourselves to interact with them disinterestedly based on love for them and desire to obey the will of God. Jesus clearly modeled behavior based on God’s will and love for God’s children rather than behavior based on social expectations and self interest. In at least one sense, isn’t this the point of Jesus redefining his family from his biological mother and brothers and sisters to all those who do his Father’s will? My family would be hurt and angry at what they would perceive as disloyalty! On the other hand, for the strangers in your life who would suddenly be promoted to family status, how transformational!
To quote the new John Fogerty song, “Heaven:”
I dreamed I walked in heaven just the other night
There was so much beauty so much light
Don't you wish it was true
Don't you wish it was true
An angel took my hand
Said you don't have to hurry
Got all the time in the world don't worry
Don't you wish it was true
Lord don't you wish it was true
But if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Anyone would take you in
No matter what or where you'd been
But if tomorrow everybody had enough
The world wasn't quite so rough
Lord don't you wish it was true
He said the worlds gonna change and it's startin' today
There'll be no more armies no more hate
Don't you wish it was true
Now don't you wish it was true
And all the little children would live happily
Ther'd be singin' and laughter and sweet harmony
Don't you wish it was true
Lord don't you wish it was true
But if tomorrow everybody under the sun
Was happy just to live as one
No borders or battles to be won
But if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord Don't you wish it was true
Alright!
But if tomorrow everybody under the sun
Was happy just to live as one
No borders or battles to be won
But if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord don't you wish it was true
Lord don't you wish it was true
Alright!
Oooooo-A!
What a beautiful day!
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