Writing Your Spiritual Legacy in Wesleyan Style

Writing a spiritual legacy can be rewarding, whether as a personal exercise, a gift to your family, or a supportive group study.

In his small but powerful book, Three Simple Rules (Abingdon, 2007), Bishop Reuben Job memorably categorizes spiritual disciplines recommended by John Wesley under the headings “DO NO HARM,” “DO GOOD,” and “STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD.” The spiritual practices- “a daily time of prayer; reflection upon and study of scripture; regular participation in the life of a Christian community…doing some act of goodness or mercy; and taking opportunities to share with and learn from others who also seek to follow the way of Jesus” - enable us “to hear and be responsive to God’s slightest whisper of direction and receive God’s…power every day” (Job, Three Simple Rules, 55-56).

OPENING (PURPOSE) I write this to _____ in order to ______. With whom do you want to share this and why? It doesn’t have to be family or close friends. In my case, I am writing to my niece, two stepsons, and any friends who might be interested in my journey with God. Talk about your history, past and present. Who have been the most important people and events in your walk with God? Were there specific family members or ancestors? My mother, paternal grandma, and longtime mentor were significant for me. For you, it might be your spiritual friends or spiritual director. What events led you to a closer relationship with God? How has prayer guided your life?

What experiences are you most grateful for? What roles have you played in your Christian community? Marilyn McEntyre’s Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography (course outline, 2024) suggests these questions: What are your childhood memories of Christmas and Easter?

How did you come to know Jesus?

You might try sketching out a spiritual life timeline to help you pinpoint highlights and turning points.

VALUES AND BELIEFS. What specific teachings, beliefs, and practices from spiritual, ethical, or religious sources influenced you the most? What rituals help you feel closer to God? What matters most to you now?

Marilyn McEntyre suggests asking how music has mattered in your spiritual life. “What songs or musical pieces move you toward prayer or meditation? What songs, hymns, or chants have been formative as you’ve sung them? When has a piece of music opened a new avenue of spiritual awareness?” (McIntyre, Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography, 12). Another idea from McEntyre is to identify particular characters from the Bible with whom you have felt a particular affinity (Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography, 4). For instance, “I was the prodigal son in our family….” Finally, McEntyre discusses the place of nature in our spiritual lives. She writes, “Many people trace spiritual awakenings to moments in nature…Biblical literature is full of allusions to the liveliness …of the natural world” (Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography, 14).

Certainly for me, staying in love with God has always been fostered by being in nature. How has nature nurtured your love of God?

LIFE LESSONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. How have your values and beliefs found expression in your life with God? What have been your most important lessons? What scriptures have given you these lessons and insights? What has made your faith stronger? What has given you the most joy? How have you become wiser, more authentic, more concerned about God’s world and God’s people and certain of God’s never-ending love for us?

Reuben Job says, “Spiritual disciplines not only include practices that bind us to God every day, but they also include actions that heal the pain, injustice, and inequality of our world. It is impossible to stay in love with God and not desire to see God’s goodness and grace shared with the entire world” (Three Simple Rules, 58). How has your love of God helped you cope with losses, failures, even traumas? Job says that each one of us, like the apostle Peter, “has our own litany of failures to recite, but the good news is that we can start again.” This is true for institutions that have failed us, too (Three Simple Rules 59).

Another aspect of life lessons is that we must consider our significant others and the roles they played in our formation. McEntyre asks how family members have helped you in your faith walk: “How has brokenness in your family of origin or chosen family changed your spiritual assumptions and practices? How has family helped you learn about forgiveness?” (Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography, 15). Have you ever feared for your life or loved ones? How has your love of God supported you at these times? What do fear now? How does your faith in God buoy you up and engender hope? Where have you felt especially close to God? What places have you identified as sacred? McEntyre asks, “Where have you, or do you hope to, go on a pilgrimage? Why there? How have you…set aside a space for sacred purposes? How has that helped you?” (Approaches to Spiritual Autobiography, 18).

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. What’s your most important advice? What are your wishes, hopes, and dreams for others and the world?

For what and from whom do you need forgiveness?

CLOSING. How do you want to be remembered? For what do you thank God most? What blessings would you like to bestow?

How might you use these suggestions? Would it be helpful to gather older adults at your church and work on this with a small group, United Women of Faith, a care team, or others? Would you feel more comfortable working on this alone or with a partner? Is there an anniversary or special occasion you want to prepare for in this way?

For more resources, Google “ethical will” and/or “spiritual legacy.” Storyworth.com and legacystory.org are also helpful. To facilitate your writing, try a method suggested by one of these writers: Mirabai Starr, Marilyn McEntyre, and Julia Cameron. All suggest non-stop writing. Do not pause to edit or critique your writing; keep the pen moving for a designated time. After finishing the first draft, you can go back and edit it.

Rev. Dr. Judith Pruess-Mellow is a second-career deacon in the California-Nevada Conference. She worked for ten years as Minister of Visitation at Los Altos United Methodist Church, five years as Executive Director and Founder of Senior New Ways, and three years as a Hospice Chaplain with Bristol Hospice of Roseville. She is now an active retired minister at Twin Towers United Methodist Church in Alameda, California.