Here we are again. Another Lent. Another wilderness wandering. Another start to reflecting on the world via my very sporadic writings. It seems Lent has been the time I feel most compelled to write. Perhaps because of the introspective nature of the season. Maybe it’s just the experience of taking the United Methodist Photo-A-Day challenge and turning it into a post. All I know is here we are again and here I go again.
Day 9: Good
Today has me thinking about the General Rules of The United Methodist Church. There are three and they date back to near the founding of our movement.
- Do no harm.
- Do good.
- Attend the ordinances of God (ordinances here referring the ordinary means of grace). Some have stated this as “stay in love with God.”
The rules are meant to be experienced in concert with one another. No rule is sufficient on its own or is any rule more important than the others. Even so, I am recently drawn to the second in our list.
Do no harm is a prohibition. Don’t hurt people. Don’t hurt the environment. Don’t hurt yourself. I often sum it up as don’t be a jerk.
The second rule though invites action and participation. The instruction to “do good ” is not to merely avoid certain behavior, but an encouragement to seek the welfare of ourselves, others and the world. (The third rule speaks to how we might go about doing good.)
I have suggested a certain interpretation of what it means to do good, which some could disagree with. While I am promoting a good that includes others and our environment, I recognize not everyone would define good in these terms.
Here’s a bit of how John Wesley, generally credited with founding what becomes the United Methodist movement, meant by doing good using some slightly updated language.
By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men:
To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison.
To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that “we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it.“
By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another, helping each other in business, and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only.
By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord’s sake.
It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
(source: https://www.umc.org/en/content/the-general-rules-of-the-methodist-church)
Doing good by offering mercy to others, helping the poor, through teaching that we do good even if we don’t “feel like it,” by helping other Christ-followers, through economic means, even when it is hard.
This is more difficult in my view than simply not being mean or hurtful or rude. Doing good is often costly and may not be rewarded by those we see to help. I think Wesley might tell me to do good anyway. I know Jesus decided to be the good anyway. This lenten season we get to decide again whether or not we will follow their examples. I am praying I do.
Life is better together,
Shawn
Big Rubber Band Ball 