Thought for the Week: Truth and turmoil
Linda Murgatroyd writes about truth, turmoil and the contribution of Quakers today
Reflecting on the political upheavals of recent months in Britain and abroad, I have been wondering about the parallels with England at the time of the civil war in the seventeenth century. The deposing and beheading of Charles I was not envisaged at the outset of the war, but it became politically inevitable after his repeated refusal to negotiate. The real debates about policy only started after the Parliamentarians had gained some victories. Instability and intolerance continued for decades thereafter.
I see some similarity, today, with the Brexit referendum and ‘sea changes’ in other countries. The whole political landscape has altered and continues to be transformed. Events are leading the way, rather than thought-through policies. Major institutions and nations are facing deep crises. Further climate chaos and war has become more likely, with vulnerable people worst hit.
Truth has suffered; insults and slogans have too often replaced informed debate and hard information. Without truth, trust and constructive relationships are undermined.
It was at such a time of turmoil that the Friends of Truth, which became the Religious Society of Friends, came into being. It grew from people acknowledging their sense of ‘not knowing’ and then seeking and waiting for guidance, alone and together. It developed from their speaking their spiritual experience and values and being critical friends to each other – actively upholding one another as they tried to live in witness to their truth and values.
Perhaps the greatest contribution Quakers today might make would be to do likewise: to speak our spiritual experience and be clear about our values, living from them more audibly and visibly through our actions and our words and supporting one another as we try to live in witness to them. Perhaps we should give more weight to the simple basics of spending time in worship, practising discernment together and living mindfully, rather than hurrying to get things done. Perhaps we should also be more active in inviting others to share our worship and worship-based discernment and welcoming them when they arrive?
There is much to be done and when we are really clearly grounded and led the way opens for our ministry and it is fruitful. Let us also have the courage to wait and worship, to open ourselves to a ‘God’s eye’ point of view. It has its own rewards, including that it grows our sense of the hugeness of Creation, within which current local upheavals are just a small blip on the landscape. This expectant waiting and listening is part of our ministry and witness; perhaps it’s also what the world needs.
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