Let love be the first motion

“Love was the first motion, and thence a concern arose to spend some time with the Indians, that I might feel and understand their life and the Spirit they live in, if haply I might receive some instruction from them, or they be in any degree helped forward by my following the leadings of Truth amongst them. 

And, as it pleased the Lord to make way for my going at a time when the troubles of war were increasing, and when, by reason of much wet weather, travelling was more difficult than usual at that season, I looked upon it as a more favourable opportunity to season my mind and bring me into a nearer sympathy with them. And, as mine eye was to the great Father of mercies, humbly desiring to learn what his will was concerning me, I was made quiet and content.”

— John Woolman, 1763
Quaker preacher and abolitionist

Reader Responses

How does it feel to be led?
What happens in your spirit, your mind, or your body?

I experience leadings as a physical sensation, with my heart racing and my body shaking. I find myself trying to fight this sensation and yet it grips me still tighter. The Divine is brought forth despite my best efforts to quell it.

Felonious Punk, on Instagram
For me, a leading is sudden knowledge, sudden awareness. I simply know what I need to do or say. It is beyond words, beyond language. I know Quakers who experience leadings in words, but it doesn't happen that way for me. It's really quite amazing.

Loré M., Fort Bragg, CA, USA
For me, a thought rises that I myself wasn't focused on. A piece of Scripture reminds me of a truth, or a perspective becomes clear that I couldn't find. Being led is a divine friend guiding me. A tap here, a nudge there.

Shelli H., Modesto, CA, USA
When I feel a leading it comes gently as a thought. The thought brings surprise and joy and peace because my spirit is in sync with the Holy Spirit. I feel a calming and a purpose that is healing for having been touched.

Nina L., St. Augustine, FL, USA

This Week’s Messages

Mon Apr 13

The fruit of our alienation

“Many of us feel a chronic discomfort in American society, much like what young George Fox felt in his time and place. It is a sense of alienation, born of living among people who apparently feel ‘whole and at ease in that condition that was my misery.’ But that misery is the fruit of our own alienation from the witness of God in us. Living closer to that source, we can sense more easily the discomfort of others, whatever appearances they (and we) maintain.” …
Tue Apr 14

To be spiritual is inevitably political

“To be spiritual requires me to live in such a way that it conflicts with the usual way of doing things, and so it is inevitably political. But not acting at all in the public realm is a vote for business as usual.” …
Wed Apr 15

Final writings of a Quaker martyr

“I heard that New England had made a law to put the servants of the living God to death if they returned after they were sentenced away, which did come near me at that time; and, as I considered the thing and pondered it in my heart, immediately came the word of the Lord unto me, saying, ‘Thou knowest not but that thou mayst go thither.’” …
Thu Apr 16

Be a prophet of joy

“We have often wondered whether there is anything Quakers today can say as one. After much struggle we have discovered that we can proclaim this: there is a living God at the centre of all, who is available to each of us as a Present Teacher at the very heart of our lives. We seek as people of God to be worthy vessels to deliver the Lord’s transforming word, to be prophets of joy who know from experience and can testify to the world, as George Fox did, ‘that the Lord God is at work in this thick night.'” …
Fri Apr 17

Leadings proceed from a common ground

“Quakers view truth as something that happens, it occurs…. Truth is not a dead fact which is known: It is a living occurrence in which we participate, the guiding concern of people bearing witness is to live rightly, in ways that are exemplary…. Quakers are convinced that genuine leadings all proceed from a common ground, spring from a unity which we seek and find.” …
Sat Apr 18

We must do what seems impossible

“Our witness tells us that we need not wait for nuclear warfare to strike us before we strip our lives of… superfluities; we need not wait for events to bend our wills to unison…. We must simplify our daily routine without waiting for legislation; we must take our political and public responsibilities without having to take the negative action of being ‘against’ nuclear testing, the death-use of science, the military-moulding of education.”  …

Read the source of today’s quote

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Author

  • John Woolman (October 19, 1720 – October 7, 1772) was an American merchant, tailor, journalist, Quaker preacher, and early abolitionist during the colonial era. Based in Mount Holly, near Philadelphia, he traveled through the American frontier to preach Quaker beliefs, and advocate against slavery and the slave trade, cruelty to animals, economic injustices and oppression, and conscription.

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