| Bishop's CornerNever Be Unemployed
By Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
 Whenever persons are admitted into
full connection as ordained members of the annual conference they are
asked a series of questions formulated by John Wesley. One of the
questions is, “Will you observe the following directions?” Then
follows this particular directive, “Never be unemployed.”
We usually dismiss the Wesleyan instruction, “Never
be unemployed,” as an example of the unhealthy compulsiveness of Mr.
Wesley. It seems to be at odds with the divine commandment to observe
Sabbath. Such apparent foolishness does not recognize the need of
human beings to cease work and to rest.
It is quite common for people to misunderstand
Mr. Wesley because often he had insights most of us cannot grasp; we
lack his learning and spiritual maturity. Perhaps his admonition, “Never
be unemployed,” is an example of another misunderstanding.
Could it be that Mr. Wesley meant a Christian,
and especially the Methodist preacher, should be so engaged in
nurturing a rich, inner life complemented by a constructive, active
life that he or she would have no time or energy left for complaining,
blaming and hand-wringing over all the imperfections of our existence?
Two concerns should engage us daily. One is a
continuous spiritual awareness of the goodness of God who is present
with us in and with and through all of the creation. Such an awareness
is nurtured by spiritual reading, contemplation and prayer. Here is
the wellspring of our joy and peace. The other concern that should
engage us is an attempt to make some constructive contribution to the
world through whatever tasks and opportunities we have. Of course, our
work has to be balanced by our need for rest. If these are our
concerns, then who would have any time left to whine or worry?
I believe Mr. Wesley’s direction to his
preachers, “Never be unemployed,” is an aphorism that sums up
centuries of wisdom from the Christian tradition of spirituality. It
is not foolish advice born of a distorted work ethic. It is a joyful
invitation to a full life of continuous contemplation of the truth and
constructive contribution to the world.
If one studies carefully Mr. Wesley’s
teachings one becomes more and more impressed that his advice
constitutes an invitation to make an exchange of energies. Over and
over he insists that we discipline our thoughts, affections and
speech, as well as our actions. At first it seems that he is just
another Puritan with an iron will who is too preoccupied with control.
The truth is that this kind of discipline frees one to channel energy
into positive directions that enable us to enjoy life more and to make
a positive contribution.
The counsel to us to “never be unemployed”
can be understood as a challenge to exchange all the energy we are
wasting on the telephone or on the Internet or at the coffee shop
complaining about the state of the world for energy to enjoy the
presence of God and do something that will make the world better, even
if our action is quite hidden and tiny.
“Never be unemployed” is just another way of
saying: “Life is brief. Do not waste it with negative attitudes and
actions. Rather, spend every day enjoying God and doing what you can
with the gifts you have received to serve God’s world.”
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