Three Simple Rules to Change the World: A Christmas Gift
A Christmas gift we believe is worth repeating…
DO NO HARM
DO GOOD
STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD
Established by John Wesley, these are what we refer to as the “General Rules” of The United Methodist Church. They have been expressed in new ways by Bishop Rueben Job in his little book, Three Simple Rules that Will Change Your World: A Wesleyan Way of Living, Abingdon Press. We commend it to you.
As we journey through this holy season expecting and experiencing the birth of the Prince of Peace, may we reflect on these rules. In a world of Herods who seek to destroy the opposition, may we Do No Harm and take the other way as did the Magi. As Joseph did with Mary, may we seek to Do Good. How can we not Stay in Love with God who comes to us in the form of a baby?
Bishop Job has started a conversation that is rich with possibility for the work of JustPeace. Let’s begin to think together how our work gives guidance and substance to each of the rules or principles. DO NO HARM: let’s think about the movement, for example, from adversarial to collaborative work, from retributive justice to restorative justice, from trying to destroy the other’s proposition to helping them save it and improve it (Ignatius), from violence to non-violence. DO GOOD: let’s think, for example, about constructively engaging conflict; the spiritual disciplines of listening for understanding, speaking the truth in love, using our imagination and being forgiving; being a mediating presence; creating relational covenants; eliciting stories of peak experiences, grace-filled moments and dreams of a preferred future; working for right relations and communal well being; and helping others experience reconciliation and feast and flourish at the Table of Holy Communion. STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD: All our work is about gratitude and staying close to the One who heals, forgives and reconciles so we can be conduits for the love of God. These are some thoughts. We welcome your thoughts about how we can DO GOOD, DO NO HARM AND STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD.
What if we all reflected on how we might live out these simple rules each morning as we begin our day, and as we reflect at the end of the day? These three simple rules might transform our world.
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Hi, Tom! Thanks for these rich thoughts. I’m finding churches are hungry to learn these 3 simple rules, and hungrier still for practical ways to engage them in daily life. Our churches know intuitively that this is our spiritual tradition and resonate with the hope that comes from realizing anyone can begin NOW to practice these rules. Your thoughts have expanded my thinking about them. Thanks! And have a peace-filled Christmas
Randy Robinson
Thanks Tom – this is a beautiful invitation. “Eliciting stories of peak experiences, grace-filled moments and dreams of a preferred future.” – Yes!