(The following sermon dates from a time when I pastored a large church with many demands place upon me not only by the parishioners and their families but by my own denomination, another denomination historically devoted to peace and justice, and several organizations within the area. I was overwhelmed and frazzled and thus had difficulty focusing and maintaining a patient and compassionate perspective. In other words, I was not pleasant to be around. I took an afternoon off to consider how to deal with the demands and pressure. This sermon was the result of my thoughts and centering.)
I remember the advice one of my Hebrew professors gave seminarians for a meaningful and fruitful ministry. He said, “The secret of transforming ministry is learning when to say ‘No.’” That also may be the secret of a meaningful and fruitful life.
How on earth can I fulfill all the responsibilities and obligations to which I have committed myself! And I know that many of you feel the same way as you face your own calendars. For those Christians who want to be faithful in their discipleship, the question of how much to do for God seems to be hauntingly present. We know how great and numerous the needs are in our world and community. And we want to make a difference for Christ. But in an attempt to be faithful many of us find ourselves trying to juggle so many responsibilities that we grow weary, frenzied, (and according to my wife) a little difficult to live with.
At such times the grace of God reminds me that I know better than to assume such an idolatrous and messianic role. And that same grace recalls within me a perspective I have learned from our Quaker brothers and sisters. I first learned this way of seeing our Christian responsibility from the 18th century Quaker John Woolman. His insights have been updated in Thomas Kelly’s classic work called A Testament of Devotion.
According to this perspective, the more centered we are in God the more we know what God would have us do and what God would leave to others. Kelly writes the following:
The loving presence does not burden us equally with all things, but considerably puts upon each of us just a few central tasks, as emphatic responsibilities. For each of us these special undertakings are our share in the joyous burdens of love. We cannot die on every cross, nor are we expected to.
When I consider the life of John Woolman (my favorite saint of the church), I realize that Woolman first centered himself in God and the divine will. As he floated in that Infinite Ocean of Light and Love, he discovered where God would have him act and where he was free to say “No.” Woolman, by faithfully practicing the presence of God, knew at what points he was required to sacrifice and at what points he was permitted to let others act in faithful ways. The serenity of his life, the faithfulness of his witness, and⋅the impact of his words and deeds are perhaps without parallel in American Christianity. (Woolman is the one primarily responsible for awakening the consciences of Quakers and eventually the nation to the evils of slavery.) But “success” in any sense whatsoever was never a consideration for Woolman. He had only one desire throughout his life–to be centered in God and to do God’s will. By knowing where to put his time and energy and where to say “No,” Woolman made a monumental difference without ever having that as his primary goal.
If we took the time to stay centered in God, then perhaps we too would know at what points we are called to faithful sacrifice and at what points we are free to say “No.” Our shoulders are not broad or strong enough to bear the weight of the world. We are not able to tend the whole vineyard of our Lord. We are only responsible for the little corner with our name written on it by God. Perhaps if we could consistently approach our Christian responsibilities and life itself from this Quaker perspective, we would experience a joy, serenity, and fulfillment beyond what we have ever imagined possible. And perhaps as we faithfully attend our little corners of the garden, we too could make far more of a difference in our world than we ever could with our frenzied “devotion.”
I am pleased to report that in the last two weeks I have received several calls asking me to accept certain tasks and responsibilities. Guess what? I said “No.” And in doing so, I almost felt like I was praying.
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