Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego still has a role to play and that’s through the right use of the will. The purpose of the will is: TO BE WILLING!

In this series, Fr. Bill explores a talk delivered by Quaker mystic Thomas R. Kelly. It’s titled HOLY OBEDIENCE. There’s a free pdf link in the show notes below. It’s also one of several essays found in Kelly’s book A Testament of Devotion. It makes for great reading in a morning Quiet Time. But a word of caution. Read it slowly; it’s a lot of truth for a poor ego to swallow all at once!

Show notes:

Holy Obedience by Thomas R. Kelly

https://quaker.org/legacy/pamphlets/wpl1939a.html

A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly with an Introduction by Richard J. Foster