The Spinning Wheel

In ordering your private world, Gordon Macdonald tells the story of Mohandas Gandhi, the Hindu leader who was known as “India’s George Washington” by leading his people to national independence. People who have read biographies of Gandhi or have seen his life portrayed in film are often impressed by his calm and serene character.
Gandhi frequently was found among the poor and diseased in India’s cities. He would walk among them offering a touch of hope, a word of encouragement, or a gentle affirming smile. The next day Gandhi might be found in palaces and government buildings negotiating with the most powerful and educated men of his age.
How did he keep a balanced sense of self in these vast extremes of Indian society? How did he maintain humility when the great masses of people cheered him as a hero or he was summoned to talk with kings and government leaders?
Gandhi spun the wool from which his clothes were made. When he returned to his simple dwelling, he sat on the floor to spin wool on his spinning wheel. This simple chore restored to him a sense of who he was and what was basic, practical and essential to life. It helped him to resist the public acclaim that might distort who he knew himself to be or distract him from the purpose he believed was his destiny.
We each need to make an intentional effort in our lives to remain true to our deepest selves, that part of us which is created in God’s image and designed to bring him gliry. Often we structure our lives around the activities in which we participate. But the Lord calls us o order our lives around his priorities and purposes.
Then we can be his people in the world, but not of the world.

Culled from my daily brook.