“Do nothing out of selfish ambition…” – Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Like many of you I have been following the events in Minneapolis and St. Paul in recent weeks. It has been heartbreaking to learn about the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Preƫ. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for the friends and family of these two individuals. Thoughts and prayers go out at this trying time. Prayers also go out to the immigrants and refugees who are living in fear in the Twin Cities. Lovely Lane has a long history of supporting folks who are looking for better opportunities in our country. We hope these folks carry forward seeking the possibilities our nation provides.
And yes, we pray for all those who have been in Minneapolis protesting and seeking changes that will assist those in need. Religious leaders from a number of different faith traditions have come alongside individuals who have a heart for justice and peace. In the midst of extremely cold temperatures folks have been calling for change and shown a willingness to be arrested.
Reflecting on all this I keep coming back to “Three Simple Rules.” The rules come to us from John Wesley and his work with the people called Methodists in the 1700’s. Focusing on Philippians 2:1-13, Wesley wrote that we need to “Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God (or Attend to the Ordinances of God). These rules were meant to be simple and practical guidelines for faithful living in the Eighteenth Century. They still resonate today.
For starters, we need to “do no harm.” Our actions and words should not harm others. We don’t want to hurt those around us. The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church released a statement recently condemning the violence in Minnesota. They wrote, “We detest the inhumane evil acƟons that are perpetuated by governmental authorites.” The message is to do no harm.
Furthermore, we are to “do good and stay in love with God.” Doing good means we act in an upstanding way with a desire to lift up those around us. We are to build up others. And, of course, we never want to lose our love for God. Our actions should move us closer to God. We want to keep the faith!
During these challenging times we might seek a bit more than three simple rules, but it’s an important start as we seek guidance and perspecƟve. Take good care! Peace,
Pastor Scott