As I write to you today, I am watching the snowfall...on the second day of Spring! The good news is that it will not be staying around for long.
First off, I would like to give a shout out to our Youth and Family Ministry for the fabulous talent show following lunch this past Sunday, and a very special thank you to Rev. Elizabeth for organizing it. We are blessed with so much talent in our children and adults.
On Friday evening, I joined with Rev. Jesse James and Wiley Beveridge to begin the journey into Holy Week. It was a contemplative service designed to prepare for the walk into Jerusalem. Then, on Saturday, I participated in a sacred day of silence. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on Holy Week and what it means for me. I had experienced some difficult things in my personal life during 2015; however, when I put those experiences in perspective of what my teacher and wayshower Jesus went through, I am grateful for all that I have learned from His teachings.
The Palm Sunday message isn't a new message. It is, however, a reminder of Jesus' evolution of consciousness. I shared this quote from Ernest Wilson, an early Unity writer:
"No combination of circumstances that confronts anyone today could be more formidable or less encouraging than that which confronted Jesus as he began His ministry. But Jesus had discovered one tremendous principle of Truth that set all possible opposition at naught. He had discovered his own oneness with God."
Unity Magazine March 1932
In His entry into Jerusalem, Jesus demonstrated what could be defined as four general traits necessary in becoming a "good overcomer". They are: (1) putting God first; (2) humility (or the willingness to continue to be teachable); (3) clarity of purpose, and (4) the willingness to take the steps ahead and move forward.
Jesus was always doing the unexpected. He denied personal riches, fame, and political power to follow His guidance, teach the Truth, and demonstrate it to His disciples and anyone else who would listen. He put God's work first, doing the work He was to do - the work only He could do. He demonstrated humility riding into Jerusalem on a colt with his disciples and friends (a rather small crowd gathered, contrary to the image of hordes of people depicted by the movie industry). He kept his focus on the Truth. He was to demonstrate it. Jesus took action and moved forward toward his overcoming.
We all have difficulties, problems, and challenges in life. We all have to go step-by-step through some tough times in life; however, we have a model for approaching life as an unlimited transformative experience.
It may not be ours to do what Jesus did, but if we:
put God first,
live with humility,
focus on our purpose, and
are willing to move forward...
...imagine what we can do!
After all, Jesus did say "Follow Me". These two little words let us know that there is a greater potential in us than we realize. To hear the talk in its entirety please click here...
Please join us next Sunday as we celebrate together EASTER! Just a reminder: the children will have an Easter Egg hunt.
Revolution
