February Queries

LEYM ADVICES AND QUERIES: SPIRITUAL LIFE

Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them as the leadings of God, whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life. Britain YM, QF&P, 1.02.

There is a way into silence that allows us to deepen our awareness of the Light and find the inward source of our strength. How do I bring this inward stillness into my daily life, nourishing a habit of openness to and dependence on the guidance of the Light for each day? Do I set aside times of quiet openness to the Spirit, of spiritual refreshment?

Are we open to new Light, from whatever source it may come? What steps are we taking to become better acquainted with the Bible, the teachings of Jesus, the history, writings, and principles of Friends, and the contributions of other religions and philosophies to our spiritual heritage? How do we apply these to our lives and our spiritual journeys?

Do I live in thankful awareness of God’s constant presence in my life? How often do I pray, giving thanks for all the blessings I have received? Do I hold others in the Light? Am I open to continuing revelation and the possibility of change and religious transformation?

Does our meeting encourage us to share our spiritual journeys with one another and learn from each other? In what ways do we support one another in order to seek God’s will and act upon our understanding of truth? How does our meeting recognize, develop and nurture the spiritual gifts of our members and attenders of all ages?

From Advices & Queries, for Use by Individual Friends, Meetings, and Worship Groups (Lake Erie Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends: Ann Arbor, 2012). Find the whole document online at http://leymquaker.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aq3f2.pdf, or in printed form in the GRFM library at the Browne Center.