Conservative Friend

Wilberite Lifestyle- In my The Guide is ALWAYS ahead of us posting, I wrote ‘conserve lifestyle if it works towards that creation’ [of the Kingdom of Heaven]. I share with OYM Friends an expansion of on the topic of lifestyle with trepidation. A prominent & controversial Midwest recorded minister (not in/by OYM) shared in a small group setting that his being currently attacked over his theology was, he believes, directly related to his stance 10 years previously- supporting Gay Christians. These days ‘lifestyle’ is commonly associated with sexuality. Wilberite lifestyles, in my understanding and perspective; are about simple practices, actions, attitudes, traditions, behavior, speech patterns, and worshipfulness- that hold connection with & listening to God in the forefront. Simple in appearance; not in intention, discipline, or effort. Perhaps the most difficult of all human endeavor is using form to create space to be disciplined in our flexibility, teachablity & presence; rather than to be bound, controlled, and idolizing the form, the tradition, ‘the way we do things’.

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This was Jesus’ message to the Hebrews and empire of his day. The Loving Spirit of God trumps the Law. It was implicit in Martin Luther’s path and message. George Fox and Primitive Christianity Revived. Examples in every time & setting. Around us every day.

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One Wilberite practice, part of many lifestyles, (and tradition, though perhaps a more recent one) is around avoiding strong emotions, particularly anger. I think most of you are familiar with at least some of the ways I bump up against that one. There is lots of validity & usefulness in the perspective & stance that we are at our best, most effective, and most connected when anger is not present. I think that the simplicity of that idea & ideal does not lend itself to discipline any better that flexible teachability does. Some have mastered staying in a Loving and harmonious space. Some just think they have, or pretend to. Pretending is not all a bad thing- fake it until you make it. It is however, easy to project ones failings on to others. Particularly around emotions. Particularly when we are holding ourselves to unreasonable self-standards of consistent Love, harmony, and absence of anger. Then, it is easy to attribute our emotions to another. To focus on the words, actions, needs of another. To obsess on the mote in their eye. I speak from personal experience in mote watching.

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Whenever our focus is on what another is or should be doing, it is dangerous territory. However, I believe that community and being a member of community (local and global) comes with it responsibilities for clear and honest feedback. Our actions should speak the loudest, but there is a place for our words. Some testimony is verbal. How do we engage in that aspect of community, of assisting the Sheppard even, without slipping into mote obsession? Or running away from this difficult, embarrassing area all together? There are aspects of Eldering that come into effective play here; but fundamentally, I do not know the answer to these questions. If you have some inklings, I would love to hear them. I am pretty sure that owning our messages and perspectives as our own is important. Not making what we see, or think, or has come to us; about the object of those impressions- just what we have to (hopefully) share. Definitely not making our feelings, impressions, perspectives- the clear Will of God. We are all vessels of the Lord, and the Lord’s messages. None of us are pure vessels.

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And, other than the Orthodox Hebrews among us, please to NOT use the Law (Old Covenant Law, or that Law we have built up around the New Covenant) to justify your position. For instance, if you are mixing wool and linen, eating pork with milk- do not tell anyone what God intents some ones else’s sexuality to look like. Please.

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Whether in ongoing Revelation, or from Scripture- when we think we are hearing God’s Will for another, we are on very dangerous and slippery ground. I am in that place WAY too often. Telling someone else what they should be doing, comes & leads to that phenomena. It can be Fruit of a sour Spirit; a distraction from the Lord. Coercion, in all of its many forms, is usually the antithesis of creating the conditions for True Peace. And yet- we have a responsibility to the Lord and our Brothers & Sisters to speak what Truth we have available. To act in the ways & leadings we believe and hope will nurture our brethren and further unity in & with Christ. Lord, help me.