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Friends United Meeting |
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July 2002
Commitments
By Retha McCutchen
Readers will receive this article while several hundred Friends are gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Centennial Triennial of Friends Untied Meeting. I'm trying to imagine this experience.
At the core of Friends theology is the belief that all Christians are ministers. Certainly God gifts some for public ministry but it is also true that God speaks through all Christians at various times and in various ways. Gathering over four hundred Friends from around the world in one place has the potential for revival. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, may God blow a fresh wind through Friends, moving us from our pride and contentment with historical successes into a humble and uncomfortable future. Being on the leading edge of the moving of the Holy Spirit will take us outside our comfort zones. God will challenge and stretch our faith as we respond in obedience. God has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair and just and merciful, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 Living Bible)
What does it mean to Friends United Meeting to "be fair and just and merciful?" Please pray with us, that as we gather in Nairobi, God will make abundantly clear what this phrase means for Friends United Meeting in the 21st century. One hundred years ago, eleven yearly meetings in North America joined together to spread the Message worldwide and to meet physical and educational needs of persons without those benefits. Good work has been done: primary and secondary schools in Kenya, children's homes in Jamaica, thirteen yearly meetings outside North America, education in Ramallah, hospital care at Kaimosi and Lugulu, dispensaries in many countries and communities, inner city ministries...the list goes on.
What does it mean to Friends United Meeting to "walk humbly with your God?" Among the things it means, is the letting go our pride in historical accomplishments to humbly seek God's direction for the future. The Underground Railroad was a strong stand against the injustice of slavery in the United States. But that isn't our calling in 2002.
God's primary interest isn't whether or not a person is a "birthright Quaker." God's direction to Samuel is good instruction for Friends today: God does not see as human beings see; they look at appearances but Yahweh looks at the heart. (16:7b New Jerusalem Bible) At the heart of Quakerism is the belief that all are equal. Our worship and work will reflect this testimony of deep spirituality.
Lord, we pray for the breath of your Holy Spirit in Nairobi, Kenya. Give us ears to hear and an attitude of obedience. Help us not to be affected by personal preferences or divisions of interpretation but give us the ability to hear — whether your voice is like the blowing of a strong, mighty wind, words from a burning bush or you choosing to speak with a still, small voice.
Speak, Lord, your servants are listening.
Copyright (c) 2002 Friends United Meeting
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