Opus 2013-250: Get Serious

We sometimes think that the saints of the past had no sense of humor.  We think of them as dried up old prunes.  John Wesley would perpetuate that stereotype because he comes down hard on frivolous, jocular worship.  In his writing though he sometimes can’t restrain himself from making observations that surprise me in their humorous candor. 

Here he is reflecting on a sick lady that he had been visiting and ministering to.

“I had much satisfaction in conversing with one that was very ill and very serious.  But in a few days she recovered from her sickness and from her seriousness together.”  (page 19)

Haven’t we all seen this.  When people face hardship they are very serious and open to spiritual things.  Somehow their interest wains when the problem departs.  Even pain only teaches temporary lessons to some people.

Some things never change.

Wesley, John.  The Works of John Wesley, Volume I, Third Edition.  Kansas City:  Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1979.

homo unius libri