WB soul goals
“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30
The funny thing about the start of a New Year is that there’s no actual break from the old one. You end December at full speed ahead and then it’s right into January! In my line of work, January often means things pick back up for a while as people renew their efforts to regularly participate in the life of the church. But with the Omicron variant, we’re asking people not to gather, we’re paring down worship services, and I’m holding confirmation class outside under a circus tent in the freezing cold!
We’re pivoting once again, changing plans, building flexibility into our schedules. The passing of the holidays has left a lot of people wondering what it looks like to love family and friends who refuse masks or vaccinations. Should we go to their houses and parties? Is it rude and unChristian to physically distance ourselves from them for the health of our own families? None of these questions get wrapped up in a pretty bow or are easily resolved.
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John and Charles Wesley had differing views on our troubles. Charles struggled with a lot more health concerns than John, and adopted a more Puritan belief that God was behind our physical illnesses in order to teach us something. For instance, in a hymn “for a sick child,” Charles prays: “Rebuke the fever in this hour, Command it to depart; Now, let me behold Thy power, And give Thee all my heart.” Charles directly asks God for a miraculous healing of a dying child and sees the entire illness as an opportunity for God to restore his staggering faith.
But for John, God not only desired for our complete health and wholeness, God provides practical means for us to be healed and well. John constantly kept up to date on modern medicine, and made tremendous strides to make healthcare information available for all, especially the poor. His book Primitive Physick was designed to educate the populace on practical, affordable cures and preventative health practices. We often think of John Wesley as primarily focused on building spiritual disciplines, but he was also just as adamant that physical exercise was vital for one’s whole well-being.
Ironically, it was Charles who espoused a healthier work-life balance. Charles saw that his commitments to his family required less time traveling for work, whereas John was more committed to the movement, and thus experienced a failed marriage. Nevertheless, the message for us today is that God values your entire well-being. The heart of biblical teaching was never to separate soul from body (that’s a very Greek-philosophical introduction into Christian teaching). Soul and body are an integrated whole, the fullness of our good, good humanity. Coming to Jesus for rest is not just an escapism, notice in Matthew 11 he says “learn from me.” Jesus took time away from the crowds. He slept. He prayed. He enjoyed table fellowship.
As we start 2022, making resolutions that will only last a few weeks, may you find time to restore your wellness. Spiritually, yes, but also physically, mentally, emotionally. God loves your entire human self. God values your well-being. Put on your own oxygen mask before you help another. Happy New Year, friends.