Thoughts for the Day

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember Charles and John Wesley who lived in the 18th century. They were both educated at Christ Church Oxford, and both became ordained. At Pentecost in 1738 Charles had a spiritual experience that was to change his life. He was eventually to write some six to seven thousand hymns, many of which are still loved today. Shortly after Charles' conversion experience, John himself had a similar experience. Their emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and on their faith rather than good works led them eventually to break away from the Church of England. John Wesley took to the countryside, preaching to thousands in fields. It's estimated he rode over 250,000 miles on horseback and preached over 40,000 sermons. Everywhere they went the brothers left small prayer and bible study groups which were to become the core of the worldwide Methodist Church, that today is composed of millions of people.

The joy of singing hymns has never left me from my earliest days running church choirs all over the UK, but was later reinforced in the 1980s when working full time as a Deaconess and then Deacon for a brand-new four denominational church in Gloucester, that included members of the Methodist church. Their joy of singing and praising God was infectious, as was their delight in Charles Wesley's wonderful hymns. You haven't lived unless you've heard "And can it be" or "Oh for a thousand tongues" by hundreds of Methodists at the annual Conference!

Charles and John Wesley remind us that we need to rely on the Holy Spirit and not try to live and work as Christians in our own strength. We also need to continue learning, and we need to teach others about our faith.

Collect

God of mercy,
who inspired John and Charles Wesley
with zeal for Your gospel:
grant to all people boldness to proclaim Your word
and a heart ever to rejoice in singing your praises;
through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.