Wesleyan Rooted: Grow Deeply
14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
MESSAGE
Welcome to our new Wesleyan Rooted series. Wesleyan comes from the last name of our founders, John and Charles Wesley (more on them later). Over the next six weeks, we will dive deep into the “methods” of being A United Methodist Church.
Since Methodist is our middle name, it bears repeating the familiar phrase, “there is a method” to our madness. This “methodical” term was an insult hurled at Charles Wesley and several others back at Oxford in 1729. Another name they were given was “The Bible Moths.” You know, like the blind bugs that fly into our porch lights. Yeah, we could have been called United Mothodists.
The thing is, this group had a reputation as a “holy club,” to which their spiritual practices were both rigorous and rigid. Think for a minute about what you do every night between 6 and 9 PM. These guys devoted three hours every night to the observance of communion, visitations to the sick and imprisoned, and the translation of the New Testament from its original Greek. I know how much you all would enjoy doing that every night!
Yet, Charles Wesley convinced his brother John that their “method” wasn’t such a bad thing. To be a Methodist meant that they were diligent in their worship attendance, small groups, service to others, and financial contributions. Also, reading and studying Scripture, being invitational, and living prayerfully every day, they believed in doing all these things. In the words of Jesus, a person should grow in their love for God and neighbor. And in John Wesley’s words, grow in the love of God that could be shed abroad in their hearts.
By tending to these spiritual practices or methods, we too can grow deeply in the love of God, which was Paul’s appeal in Ephesians 3:17, “and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” Here is an important reminder. Spiritual practices are not about checking things off a “to-do” list or doing pious acts or good deeds.
The distinguishing feature of Methodism is the notion that outward and visible practices are stimulated by one’s inward transformation.
It’s about being more attentive to the need to love God and all people. Outward practices lead to inward wholeness.
Now, we are not talking about perfect practices – or perfection, but wholeness. We are to excel in the things we do, but it is not about being perfect.
When it comes to growth or spiritual growth, it doesn’t just happen. We need to become intentional. To quote John Maxwell, “You must know yourself to grow yourself.” And to grow yourself spiritually, you must first know God. Becoming intentional is about what you do and how you spend your time – that is what defines how you write your story. That’s why these holy club members spent so many hours every day devoted to growing in their spiritual practices.
Let’s go back in time for a moment. The year is somewhere between 1700 and 1720. Imagine if you were walking through the quaint village of Epworth, England, on any given day. You walk by the Wesley’s house and peek in the window. I’m not condoning looking in people’s windows. But go with me on this.
Guess what you’d see?
You’d catch the Wesley family doing something quite strange. Depending on the time of day, you would see a woman sitting in a chair with her kitchen apron pulled up over her head while ten children read, studied, or played all around her. Yes, ten children!
The woman under the apron is Susanna Annesley Wesley, who assumed this odd posture for two hours almost every day. Why? I’ll share that in a minute.
Susanna had little formal education but grew up in an academic household of a highly educated London minister (her father). She was well-read and well-rounded. Susanna gave her children both a classical and biblical education. The girls were taught the same curriculum as the boys. School hours were from 9 am to noon and then 2 pm to 5 pm SIX days a week. Yes, that’s six days! The children’s chores had to be completed before and after the school day. Are you beginning to see the making of a meticulous method?
Susanna gave birth to 19 children, but nine (including two sets of twins) died in infancy. So, with ten children, one might assume she was taking a nap under that apron. But Susanna took her relationship with God seriously, and for her, there was no excuse not to pray even with ten kids in the house! Her challenge was finding a private place with ten children. You’ve got to love her creativity! She found her private space in her favorite chair and apron. Her apron over her head became akin to “the tent of meeting” – something she learned from the days of Moses in the Old Testament. A meeting place where one could go and take a rest with God.
No matter how young the child, everyone knew, even those who passed by and peered into their window, that when Susanna was under the apron, she was with God. She was not to be disturbed except for the direst emergency.
It was there in her private little tent that she would intercede in prayer on behalf of her children, husband, and neighbors. It was under the apron that she would read about the mysteries of God in her Bible. It was this disciplined act, two hours under the apron, that left a memorable impression on her children.
John and Charles Wesley – grew up to shape Christian history and establish new methods to change the world. This covenantal renewal was set by their mother as part of their daily routine to be faithful. Prayer was a time of nourishment to strengthen a person, the same way a meal would. It provided the necessary energy needed to grow deeply.
Susanna modeled for her children what she learned in her Bible about Jesus Christ. Jesus turned to prayer throughout his life as a source of strength. Jesus prayed during his baptism, when he was tempted in the wilderness, was turning water into wine, and when he healed the sick. Jesus set time apart for prayers in solitude privately, and he prayed publicly. Jesus prayed in the garden the night he was betrayed; he prayed on the cross, and he prayed before he ascended into heaven. To know Jesus was to know he was a man of prayer. Prayer was a part of the journey.
The Wesley’s were practical theologians; for them, prayer was a whole-life response to God’s grace. Prayer was a means for strengthening a commitment and relationship with God. Therefore, prayer would enable them to commit to relationships with other people.
I, too, grew up with a woman who modeled prayer. My grandmother Virginia was a devoted Roman Catholic, and I was the one who was given her prayer books. The family knew what direction I was headed long before I did. My grandmother not only prayed specific prayers, but every day, she used a long circular strand of beads or rosary to set her prayer intentions. Grandma Virginia taught me as a small child to sit down every day, beads in hand, and pray the ancient prayers of her faith and to intentionally lift prayers on behalf of other people whether I knew them or not.
I could say I maintained this practice daily, but I did not. But when things got tough, when times were difficult, I’d go to my nightstand and pull out her prayer beads. I think my comfort comes from knowing that God heard 1,000s of prayers over those beads.
Do you have a place or space designated for prayer?
A young boy was in his room praying, “God, please give me a new bicycle.”
His mom came and asked, “Son, why are you praying so loudly? God isn’t hard of hearing.”
The boy replied, “Yes, I know mom, but grandma is.”
Isn’t that just like us? We hope that if God isn’t listening, somebody will hear us.
For the Wesley’s, prayer, to some degree, was more than a spiritual act; it was physical. It involved not just your thoughts but physically using your voice and also your body. Paul shared this same sentiment, 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
This is a picture that is floating around on the internet with many different versions about the little boy who went to visit his grandparents. A stray dog named Lightening entered the family yard and never left. One night, the little boy invited Lightening to pray with him. To the family’s surprise, Lightening put his paws on the bed, closed his eyes, and prayed with the little boy. And Grandpa took the picture.
Now, other versions of the story claim that the photo was staged by placing the dog’s paws on the bed and blowing in its face to get him to close his eyes. Either way, it’s a cute photo and an excellent point.
Should we take a physical posture like kneeling when we pray, as Paul suggests, on our knees?
No, it’s not required. All of you who’ve had knee surgery, I hope, are relieved by my answer. But think of it this way: kneeling is an act of humility and reverence. If you feel you need to go before God in an act of humility and reverence, and if kneeling would be the best expression of that for you – then by all means knell. Remember – Susanna Wesley sat in her chair and went under her apron. The point is to approach God with a humble heart when you pray.
It doesn’t matter how you come into a posture of prayer. Kneeling, bowing one’s head, standing, driving a car (not with eyes closed, I hope), walking, folding one’s hands, lifting one’s arms, touching beads, just sitting still, or posing on a yoga mat. What is important is that we take a moment or two out of our day to be silent and pray—listening and talking to God by utilizing our whole being as a prayer to God.
So, how should we pray? Well, Jesus gave us a model in Matthew 6:9-13, and we say that prayer weekly, in unison, in worship. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of our covenant of lifting prayer concerns for others and ourselves. But the power is not in the words of this prayer. The power of prayer is the deeper meaning the words illuminate—each phrase imparts an exclusive way to see and think about God.
God’s strength is derived from God’s glorious riches, which are boundless. A boundless inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Listen to how Paul prays again in Ephesians, “I pray that you, being rooted with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”
Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth being rooted deeply in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s grace. This Christian journey involves restoring our lives into the image of God. To grow deeply not only for God but for us and our neighbor.
To be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God is the whole point of Paul’s prayer. For Paul, the church must be strong where it counts: deep within.
There is no limit to God’s ability. God can do anything, for nothing is impossible for God. Therefore, God’s power within us enables us to achieve more than we could ever imagine.
A man drove around and around a parking lot for over 20 minutes to find a spot. Finally, the man stopped the car and prayed.
“Lord, if you help me find a space, I promise to do a good deed every day for the rest of my life.”
Just then, a space opened up right in front of him. Whipping into the spot, the man replied, “Never mind, Lord, I found one myself.”
Do we take answered prayers for granted?
Our prayers to God can awaken us to know our human capabilities and, at the same time, reach deep within to find our genuine connection to God. The result of prayer should bring glory to God.
Our last two verses (20-21) give us a better understanding of being “full in the fullness of God.”
20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! God does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, God’s Spirit deeply and gently rooted within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down to all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
I served a church that loved to sing Surely, The Presence, at the end of the service. It is a song that expresses how the presence of the Lord is always “in this place.” But sometimes, we miss its true meaning, assuming God only dwells in one place. Yes, in the Old Testament, God’s Spirit dwelt in one place – God dwelt in the “tent of meeting,” then the Temple, which was destroyed.
Where is the Temple now? Two words: Within Us.
Where is Jesus now? Two words: Within Us.
Where is the Holy Spirit now? Two words: Within Us.
There are no limits to God’s glory. The whole point of Christ’s Church – is to be a community that together demonstrates the glorious presence of God in the world because God is working within us.
Our call to action is to encourage others to find both hope and strength in God’s love. To experience the fullness of God’s power in our lives and follow Jesus. This is the way to grow deeply.
Now I’ve got to ask: do you have a plan for your personal growth?
Take caution: there is danger in your answer if your response prioritizes intentional growth – “later.” Later, as in “I’ll pray later.” “I’ll start a new spiritual practice later.” Or “I’ll do it later.” “Later” puts up obstacles that derail our chances of success, especially when trying to start a new pattern or spiritual discipline. And “later” becomes other words too. I’ll start that diet “tomorrow.” I’ll job hunt “eventually.” I’ll pursue that dream “someday.”
Why do we end up saying “Later”? Putting off what we know we need to start doing. Especially when we know we should act now! Pick up that Bible and start reading it now.
Join that weekly Bible study now. Start praying every morning or before you go to sleep. But – don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, you’re here! You’re watching! You’ve already begun the process. Starting is the hardest part. But – don’t stop there! Keep taking more steps. Grab a new resource that will help you grow and learn today!
Focus your spiritual growth in areas that can help you grow deeply. The best way to start anything new is to pay attention to your passions. How do you know what to do? Listen to your heart.
Pay attention to what you love doing. And then go for it.
Years ago, a medical journal discussed the inertia of motivation. The article was entitled, Just Do It; and by the way, that was before Nike coined the phrase. Here’s a sampling of the article:
I know we hear it almost all the time, “I can’t get myself motivated to do it.” I’ve got news for you: motivation is not lightning that will strike you down. After you start doing the thing that you want to do, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easier for you to keep doing it. Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner says, “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.” So, act! Whatever it is you know you should do, just do it.
No matter how you decide to grow deeply on your spiritual journey, remember God comes alongside us and within us.
How different your life can be when you keep that picture in mind.
God heals and empowers us to love the way God loves us increasingly. When we transform into that image of Christ, we are changed forever. As we follow Jesus daily, we grow deeply – the levels of love for God and neighbor change the orientation of our hearts and how we see the world. Through that method of internal transformation, we can transform the world eternally around us. This is how we become Wesleyan-rooted.
Closing Prayer
Is there a special prayer that has significant meaning in your life? Perhaps it’s a familiar prayer like the Lord’s Prayer. Today, I’d like to share one that may be familiar.
Wesleyan Covenant Prayer (the contemporary version)
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will – place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full; let me be empty.
Let me have all things; let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.