 MAY/SUMMER 2003 (XXXXI 3) |
I once lived near a Quaker school whose motto was “Let your lives speak.” This phrase always struck me as odd. Coming from George Fox, it is a famous Quaker quote. But taken out of context, in this most abbreviated form, it is an exhortation without content.
All of our lives speak. The ways we live, the choices we make, the things we do and don’t do all say a great deal about who we are, what we value, and how we see the world. Our behavior from day-to-day can also encourage or discourage others. It can lift them up or put them down. It can help them see what is best in themselves and the world, or leave them feeling useless and hopeless. Our lives may convey the reality of God’s grace and love that—when appreciated and shared—sustains all of us, and all creation. Or our lives can convey the values of a secular culture that sees all of life as a zero-sum competition for resources, where satisfaction and security come at the expense of others and depend on always taking care of one’s self first.
So the question is never, really, “Will our lives speak?” Rather the question is, “What do our lives say, and how do they say it?”
This question was also raised in the Scripture readings I heard at services on Ash Wednesday. In 2nd Corinthians (chapter 6) Paul writes about the things that give credibility to his ministry and his efforts to share the love of God and God’s hopes for humankind with others. He speaks of trying to ensure that nothing he does “puts a stumbling block [for faith] in anyone’s path” (6:3). Then he goes on to talk about how we can “as servants of God … commend ourselves in every way” (in verses 6:4-10).
At first these last verses puzzled me, because we now use the term “commend” very differently than the way it is used here. When we speak of “commending” someone for their work, we mean “praising” them. But Paul is not encouraging us to praise ourselves.
The Greek word translated here as “commend” [sunistemi] literally means “to stand with” or “establish.” The key to understanding Paul’s teaching in this context is found in his focus on being “servants of God.” Paul says the way he establishes himself as a true minister of “the gospel”—a person whose first concern is to help others experience and understand the love and truth that the Divine Spirit offers us—is by how he lives and the things he suffers in order to share that “good news” with all of God’s children.
So, Paul points to the fact that he endures all kinds of hardships to fulfill the ministry to which God called him (vv. 4-5). He notes that he strives to be patient, understanding, sincere and caring with all those he meets (v. 6). He observes that he tries to live honorably yet humbly no matter what others think of him (vv. 7-9); and that he rejoices in God’s love and care, no matter how difficult his circumstances (v. 10).
By living this way, Paul made his life speak of the love and transformation he experienced when he encountered the living Christ and accepted Him as his teacher. Thus, Paul made his life testify to the power of the love of God to transform individuals, communities, and the world. Paul made his life a vehicle through which the Divine Spirit’s love and aspirations for humankind were given a powerful expression.
Listening in worship on Ash Wednesday to the list of things Paul committed to, and did, and suffered so that his life could become such a testimony, I was challenged to examine how my own life speaks. I believe as Friends we should all feel so challenged.
What we hear and will be called to may vary from person to person, depending on our circumstances. But in these times, when the world so needs to see the truth of God’s love for us all—a “perfect love that casts out fear” (1 John 4:18), that can help us build a world of peace—our lives must convey this truth. I hope we can commend this truth by the ways we earn our livings, raise our children, participate in our Meetings, and serve our communities; as well as the ways we speak out and work for justice and peace in public life. I know that God will bless our efforts and our lives if we will try.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM