Life At The Well

Once while reading a Richard Foster book, I came across his opinion that the most profound, influential writer he had ever read was The Journal of John Woolmam. At the library the other day, I picked up a copy of the Quaker Reader because it contained extensive excerpts from this title. It's no wonder Foster was been so moved! Woolmam is deeply committed to discovering and dwelling in the perfect will of God, and is both thoughtful and practical as he applies God's will to his life.

One of my favorite passages was when Woolman lamented that "Stage-coaches frequently go upwards of an hundred miles in twenty-four hours," as evidence of the increasingly frentetic pace of the mid-18th century. "So great is the hurry in the spirit of this world," he writes, "that in aiming to do business quick and to gain wealth, the creation at this day doth loudly groan!"

He may have pre-dated the Scientific, Industrial and Technological Revolutions ... but ole' John was pretty astute. Lord forgive me from a spirit bound up in so great a hurry! Amen.

Peace. (And less haste.)