For United Methodists and members of other Wesleyan Communions around the world, each year on May 24^th is Aldersgate Day. That’s when John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, felt his “heart strangely warmed” by God the Holy Spirit.

Wesley had been on a ship returning to England from the American colonies, when a huge storm all but engulfed the boat. The travelers included a group of Moravians, who happened to be worshiping together when the storm hit. At that point when Wesley and the rest of the passengers were fearing for their lives, the Moravians simply continued to sing and worship God.

Not long after arriving in London, Wesley decided to visit the Moravians, who were worshiping in a chapel on Aldersgate Street. By this point in Wesley’s life, he had been sharing the Good News of God’s love, preaching and teaching over in the colonies and out in the English fields where people worked. But now, humbled by his failures in the New World and his fear in the storm, he was able to feel God’s dynamic, transforming activity within him and in life all around him.

In many situations, we may think our heart leads us forward into new ways of living. But often our personal emotional experiences do not lead the way. They can come after we start acting on our beliefs, responding to the nudges of the Spirit. As we decide to move in a new direction—to put ourselves in a new experience, to “walk our talk” outside of our comfort zone—then the fullness of our whole self can follow, as we give both our mind and heart to God.

Your partner in faith,

Betsy