It is ironic indeed that this broad and traditional Anglican's faith has been so strengthened and reaffirmed by a group of people whose views on the Bible, on the sacraments, the trinity and the creeds are so vastly different to my own. But it's true, I have learned so much about how to live my life as a Christian from Quaker thought and practice; the writing of Fox, Pennington and Penn and the Quaker testimonies have helped transform me from a Christian (as noun) to a Christian (as verb). I suppose this is because, traditionally, the Friends have focussed so very much on the way the Holy Spirit works in each and every one of us, that we should be aware of this "inner light" in our own lives, and the lives of others, and do our best (through God's grace) to act with integrity in accordance with our faith. I came to belief through intellectual reasoning; my conversion came as a result of a kind of philosophical navel gazing on ethics, humanity and ecology; and my belief in Christ, as both fully man and fully God, was both a leap of faith and an act of will! The writing and beliefs of the Quakers helped me to come to terms with, understand, and fully appreciate the practical applications of the mysticism of my faith. That is to say, that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and living in you and I! And, this my friends is beautiful. Now, this post came about because I found a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier (thanks to Nan and Zillah for giving me the nod) which is a beautiful expression of "my master's footprints in our daily lives" which I thought you all would like. However, traditional, Biblically minded Christians may want to "turn the other cheek" regarding the theology of the the first two lines of the poem! Oh, but before the poem, here are the thoughts of Isaac Pennington that have helped me grow in faith.
"It is not enough to hear of Christ, or read of Christ, but this is the thing - to feel Him my root, my life, my foundation..."
Requirement
We live by Faith; but Faith is not the slave
Of text and legend. Reason's voice and God's,
Nature's and Duty's, never are at odds.
What asks our Father of his children, save
Justice and mercy and humility,
A reasonable service of good deeds,
Pure living, tenderness to human needs,
Reverence and trust, and prayer for light to see
The Master's footprints in our daily ways?
No knotted scourge nor sacrificial knife,
But the calm beauty of an ordered life
Whose very breathing is unworded praise!--
A life that stands as all true lives have stood,
Firm-rooted in the faith that God is Good.
