“In essentials, unity; and nonessentials, liberty; and in all things charity.” ~ John Wesley
If you had to make a top ten list of essentials for every human being, what would they be? Food, water, housing, equal treatment, employment, healthcare, freedom of faith, sexuality, love, etc.? What are some possible nonessentials? Where you live, your favorite sports team, political bent, favorite restaurants, news source, etc.?
Since John Wesley was writing during the 18th century, here is the 1800 definition of charity:¹
CHARITY, noun
1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, goodwill; that disposition of heart inclines men to think favorably of their fellow man and do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God and universal goodwill to men.
1 Corinthians 8:1. Colossians 3:14. 1 Timothy 1:5.
When we look at America today, we don’t find much unity, and every day our liberties are challenged. Thankfully, we still witness charity throughout the world, but it’s still not meeting the bare essentials for all people.
Referring to your lists again, what are the essentials and non-essentials you feel are a must?
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need the following:
- Clean water to drink
- Food to eat
- A place they can call home.
- Securing a job that pays a livable wage.
- Healthcare
- To be accepted as they are.
- To not be oppressed, marginalized, or shunned for the color of their skin.
- To be loved.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have the bare essentials for living. For us that do we take it for granted every single day. How would you feel if you didn’t have the bare essentials to live? Would you feel violated, angry, depressed, worthless, less than a human possibly?
When John Wesley says, “In essentials; unity,” he means everyone on earth should have access to the bare essentials for living a quality life. When Wesley says, “Nonessentials; liberty,” he suggests letting people have the right to choose without friction from others. Lastly, when he says, “in all things; charity,” he refers to the double commandment to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40) all the time in all situations, with no exceptions.
During this Lenten Season, here is a suggested challenge. Instead of focusing on what you will give up for Lent, why not figure out how you can provide charity and justice for those who don’t have the bare essentials in life. Where can you serve during these next 40 days, e.g., food pantry, homeless shelter, boys and girls home, meals on wheels, etc.? Could you possibly create an outreach ministry or service of your own making? If COVID-19 is a concern, choose 40 people, a different person for each day, to bless with a handwritten letter or phone call, including a surprise blessing by using your imagination.
If we want our country to heal, become unified like never before, then our actions must be centered around loving God and neighbor, and everything else is non-essential. We must make sure that nobody living in our community is without the bare essentials, especially living in the most wealthy economy in history. We are without excuse. What will you do during this spiritual season of self-denial to help unify, liberate, and provide charity for those in need?
The Fast Life²
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
– Author Unknown
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