In the midst of distressing news both from the political and religious sectors of our society, the Methodist could still find enough reasons to be grateful to God. The worldwide celebration of the tri-centennial birthday of John Wesley and the 265th anniversary of his heartwarming experience, provides us with the occasion of traversing the road back to the Wesley’s time against a backdrop of uncertainties and trials as people of God in the contemporary arena;a journey that would bring us towards the inspiring and courageous acts of leaders in the past amidst the challenges poised by and insensible church and society against the call for reforms.
       How could we forget the stories of the Wesley family, although composed of 19 children (10 of them survived to adulthood), yet the quality and ordering of the family life made a very deep and lasting impression on the sons and daughters? It was truly a family that was so religious, scholarly and firmly disciplined. Not to be forgotten as well are the narratives associated with John and Charles Wesley and a few other young men attending Oxford University who met regularly for intellectual and spiritual improvement and to help one another become better Christians, or such stories like the failed missionary work in America and the encounter with the Moravians on board a ship, singing hymns and worshipping God amidst a turbulent storm. What about the “heart- warming” experience that marked the turning point in John’s life? Such stories of faith have been proven to be of great source of joy and hope at all times for the peoples of different culture and society.
       But the most significant chapters in John Wesley’s life were those that took place after the night of the 24th of May 1738. Assured of being saved from the power of sin and death, his heart felt the burden brought by the problems at that time. He felt the intensity of the need for salvation for all the people, the renewal of heart and holiness unto God. He was convinced even more of the necessity of introducing reforms for the church and society. And for all those years, God had never failed him. Through a Spirit-filled life, John Wesley worked for all of these, not for his glory but for the One who called him to lead and inspire a movement that have grown and expanded worldwide, even after his death.
       Almost 300 years have passed in our history as people called Methodist and yet we still see some of the shadows of the past; besetting and forcing us to make decisions whether to listen and act rightfully or to remain grossly insensible to realities.
       At this time of celebration, let us be sensible enough for our workers in the mission fields and their families. Do we ask ourselves whether we give our pertinent shares in order to uplift their standard of living? Or, have we tried to reach out, for us to know whether the reforms in the urban churches had trickled down especially to the most rural and un-chosen assignments? How is our support for the small churches? Have we started to re-assess our budgetary focus, among others, and have finally categorized mission work as among the priorities of our big mother churches? Have we provided for a tangible response towards the real needs of the contemporary church? What about those in the society? Do we still hear the cry of the poor? How far have we gone to affect for genuine reforms? The list is really just too long.
       May this season of celebrations and those that have yet to come, be done not just for the sake of having one. Let us celebrate because God loved us so much despite our shortcomings. Let us all be glad because we are still part of the continuing movement for reforms toward a genuine Christian church. Sing praises to the Almighty! Lift up our voices as we offer our thanksgivings! Be grateful to the Sustainer of Life who has been transforming and reviving the lives of many people through all these years. So be it! (VSL)