Mission with Prophetic Power: The Journal of John Woolman (SRSC 12)

174

Mission with Prophetic Power: The Journal of John Woolman

The final part of this journal was not written by Woolman, but by a friend. Yet we see John Woolman in classic form: fussing over his

medicines, encouraging others, praying prayers of resig nation. He has to deal with dreams, pain, the complexities of others who care for him, moral decisions, and his own will to live. How do we process the “heart work” in our last season of life? Have you known someone who has done this well? When you think of your own death, what might it be like to pray the prayers of resignation?

Woolman provides a lovely account of his relationship with the young sailors on the ship: his conversations, his “meetings,” his feelings

about their situation. He made a conscious choice at the beginning of the journey to identify in solidarity with them, “those of the lowest stations.” Have you ever made a choice to identify in some way with someone very different than you, perhaps someone of “the lowest station”? What might it mean to take that kind of action?

Now, as you look back over your reading of John Woolman’s Journal , what will you take with you? What did Woolman do well? Did

you discover any small habits worth adapting? For me, prayerfully reflecting before meetings is a keeper. What attitudes, practices, or ways of doing relationships can you take into your next step of life? How will you start and maintain them?