Life can get complicated. The prevailing view of our culture is that we need to take care of ourselves first and others second and if you don't you are foolish and will be crushed and overtaken by those with more power, more money, more influence. But didn't Jesus teach us a different way? Didn't Jesus show us a different way?
I believe its important to restore trust, integrity, goodness, mercy, justice and hope in the world. I believe its time to live differently so that our children and our grandchildren will have something worth passing along to their children and grandchildren. I believe this will only be possible with God's help. It will not happen by accident and it will require a turning toward a different way of living. But remember, God is with us and others have done this before.
There are three simple rules that have the power to change the world. While they aren't new, they have enjoyed a vitality in different periods of history. Most recently the Wesleyan movement recovered them and used them as way of empowering people to new life and new faith. What are they? "Do no harm. Do good. And stay in love with God." Live by those three simple rules and life suddenly has order.
The practice of these simple rules is harder than you might imagine. Throughout the day we are constantly tested and the temptation to turn aside from them is subtle. We yearn to live a good life and faithful life. We yearn to practice our faith in ways that are healing and life-giving but often we stray from the path. The key is to persevere.
Monday and Tuesday of next week I'll be taking my staff on spiritual retreat. They are tired, drained and in need of rest, refreshment and revelation. I plan to share Three Simple Rules with them as a way of ordering their lives and their work. I hope it will give them ground to stand on when everything else feels like it is falling away. I know its helped me.
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