Living in the Love of God

Early on in our journey as Friends, most of us who were not acquainted with Wilberite Yearly Meetings did not have the preparation to live in the life and power of our beloved Lord. We did not understand our need to truly relate to the Lord. At best we treated Him as a super politician or, even more repugnant, we attempted in our human power to coerce the Lord to satisfy our earthly desires. When we indulged in prayer, it was for the purpose of cajoling God to fulfill our wants, even though, more often than not, they were at variance with the Lord’s will.

Fortunately, because our God is a loving ruler, He has moved us to contact individuals who have a relationship not only with the Lord, but with others who strive to obey the Lord in all ways. We praise the Lord for sending Gospel Ministers to us for the purpose of acquainting His seekers with the power of our creator. Then, and only then, can we have a relationship with our holy Father. As a result, we begin to obey and receive His Love, a love that embraces all people who seek His empowerment.

But ministers reminded me to acquire the faith I needed to wait on the Lord to hear, and more important, to understand His communication. Because I am naturally impatient, my Friends stressed the need to be patient in listening to the Lord, while not expecting immediate responses from God. I have discerned responses at the most appropriate moment. Yes, I am still learning this aspect of His heavenly guidance.

In waiting on God, I became cognizant who our beloved Savior is and how Christ introduces His Friends to the Everlasting Gospel, a Gospel in which Jesus’s love overcomes our need or desire for human supremacy. I was aware, though, of some of Jesus’ outward teachings in addition to His relationship with His mother and earthly father. This was helpful knowledge in my pursuit of Truth. But I was still ignorant of His function as our living Christ.

I am fortunate that God’s patience prevailed, much to my great joy. God opened the Bible which reveals that Christ, and not the Bible, is the Word of God. Thru Jesus, we have life that overcomes despair. This life permeates our souls, enabling finders of Truth like myself to live in His Kingdom with His Love and direction.

It is not that we do not have tendencies to resist Christ. But in our silence waiting on the Lord, Jesus overcomes our natural resistance and plants His seed of love within the gathered body enabling us to unify ourselves with His precious ministry. Small wonder, as we listen, Jesus gathers His Friends into communities that aspire to hear our Lord and do what He calls on us to do. This Jesus instructs his followers to love each other as He loves us. Yes, we have learned to accept true eldering from our ministers because that ministry originates in Jesus love and power.

Once we surrender in Jesus’s name, we hear and respond in His name.

Arthur Berk (Crossroads Meeting, OYM), 5/2007