Quakers, us, are a salad bowl of diversity. What holds us together is the possibility of Spirit’s love being present in our lives, in our experience, and for many, the possibility that we can carry that love, that care, that wonder, to the world around us. We are so diverse, and so in need of caring for one another, that I changed the sentence above. When first written it contained the word God. But quickly, I thought, our salad bowl of diversity holds people who cannot countenance that word; they will be immediately put off, perhaps having the thought oh no, here we go again.
But our hope and possibility is to draw closer and wonder, wonder that we can transcend our own limitations, our own reactions, personal needs, and defenses, and draw closer to something better, something with greater possibility for healing and wholeness than my label, my reaction, my needs, my defenses, will allow me to experience.
In a meeting for worship with attention to business, we must all be patient. We may, some of us may, come to the meeting with a fixed idea, a bloomed insight of what is best. We may be eager to share as we considered the agenda and its items and what has risen for us that we sit on the edge of our seat, ready to rise – perhaps thinking I just have to wait until that one stops speaking.
Patience is necessary for us to settle and to wonder: What is my own thought, my own position, my response – from where and what has it emerged such that it attracts and stokes my energy? Is it from Spirit? Does Spirit seem to resonate with it? Or, does Spirit send a caution message? We cannot know the answers to such questions and others without being patient and waiting on Spirit to guide us.
Unity is found by being in a state of openness, patience, love, wonder, and whole-hearted listening. If you want easy service, this is not the work for you. If you hope for realization of better possibilities than exist today, this work is on offer. I hope it is work that you take up, for none of us can do this alone. You are needed. Patience and listening is needed. Love is needed; love is given. May the Love Spirit carries be received by all.
In grace and gratitude – Larry
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