"These are three simple rules that have the power to change the world. While they are ancient, they have seldom been fully put to the test. But when they were practiced, the world of things as they were was shaken until a new formation, a new world was formed." Rueben Job

This past week at our annual gathering of United Methodists around Minnesota, we were given a book entitled:Three Simple Rules:A Wesleyan Way of Living. It is written by Rueben Job, a former bishop in our denomination. I have always found his writing engaging, challenging and holding a certain openness that appeals to me and so I look forward to reading it. It won’t take long. It is a tiny book, only sixty three pages and is dark brown with gold lettering and a simple border on the cover. Nothing flashy.

The Preface is called "Three Simple Rules…that will change your world." I was intrigued so I searched through to see what they were. One: Do No Harm.  Two:  Do Good.  Three: Stay in Love With God. On first read, Simple enough, I thought, I can do this.

The idea of this Rule is similar to that of St. Benedict, which is really a ‘practice’ more than a list of rules to follow. I believe it is the Quakers who hold to the practice of "Do No Harm’. Coincidentally, doing no harm calls for a certain level of quiet, as in keeping your mouth shut at the right time, of listening deeply to the words of another. Not always easy, but I’m up for the challenge. Will I be able to suspend my judgments, be an active listener, keep a soft heart in the midst of difficult conversations? Will I let the words play through my head several times before I speak in an effort to do no harm? Will I think carefully before I act, before I step, before I…..? You get the picture.

And then there is ‘Do Good’. Of course, the intention is always to do good. But sometimes understanding what is the greater ‘good’ in a situation is more difficult than expected. And doing good is more than just being nice or fair….it is really about answering the question ‘what would be the holy action?’ What would bring about a peaceful, positive movement in the world? How can goodness be personified?

And then there’s the love part. Not just "love God’ but ‘stay in love with God’. When ‘in love’ a person can do some wild and crazy things! You see the world with wide eyes and intensified energy. Everyone looks more beautiful…especially the One you love. When in love, you can stay awake all night thinking how fabulous the world is, how blessed you are, how great your life is because you are loved by such a Beloved. Being in love is dangerous business, too, because you risk your heart, your very life for the love of the Other.

Oh my, I guess I’d better stop speculating about this little book and see what Rueben Job has to say about this rule, this practice to change my world. I’ll give you a review as soon as I’ve finished. In the meantime, I’ll be practicing.