Monday Reflections: Do All the Good

This week I noticed something new at my regular local coffee shop. They had mugs with their logo on one side. On the other side of the mug, it read, “Do good things today.” I smiled. I thought, “That is such a Methodist thing to say!”

You probably know what I mean. There is a famous saying attributed to John Wesley that instructs,

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

Many of our schools run promotional materials with this quote. It is part of our common conscience. Even if we are not personally United Methodist, our schools were founded by people who wholeheartedly believed in love, inciting us to do good. Their belief is still with us today.

As a historical note, there is no evidence that John Wesley said these exact words. In many instances, he used almost identical language (as in the quote at the top of today’s reflection). In every sense, I think he would agree that, in public, love needs to look like doing good. And not just “doing good” but doing all the good we can, in every possible degree, of every kind, and to all.

I think designing our schools’ offerings after this maxim is a strength. It is a way to send people into the world to make a difference. It is a way to instruct people to be change-makers, and to see the world through a different lens. This being Eastertide, this is a way in which we are inviting our students, staff, and faculty to participate in a new life, not as people who live lives for their benefit and at the cost of others, but as citizens of a new society, where love is our center, and our marching orders are to do good to all.

Often, I like to close these reflections with a prayer. I would like to try something different today. Commit the words of this maxim to heart. This week, begin your leadership team meeting by repeating them. Ask people what these words mean to them. Talk about how this maxim is lived on campus.

And may God give us the grace to grow in love, so our lives will reflect these words.

Have a great week!

In every sense, I think John Wesley would agree that, in public, love needs to look like doing good. And not just “doing good” but doing all the good we can, in every possible degree, of every kind, and to all. (Photo by Christie House, Global Ministries)

There is no evidence that John Wesley said these exact words. In many instances, he used almost identical language (as in the quote at the top of today’s reflection). (Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News)