Walking Down a Different Street

Dear Spiritual Family,

How is your new year going so far? We’re just a few days in and perhaps, already, a couple of things may have come up that you didn’t anticipate. Situations, challenges and hopefully, good surprises and helpful conditions may have come your way. How might you roll better with the challenges and/or deepen the gifts in the unexpected but welcomed surprises? 

In the video message for this Sunday, Rev. Steve encourages a mindset that sees the perfection in wherever we find ourselves. The Chinese Master Lao-tzu said it this way:  

“Close your eyes and you will see clearly. Cease to listen and you will hear truth. Be silent and your heart will sing. Seek no contacts and you will find union.”  

What if we practice being more at ease with what is and less stressed with what we “know” has gone wrong or when things aren’t playing out just as we feel they should?

By turning in and tuning in to the inner I AM, we gain perspective that eludes us when we are outer-focused. Jesus told us to “go into our prayer closet and close the door” and paraphrasing, experience God’s Presence, His Love and His guidance. 

In Portia Nelson’s “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters,” we’re reminded of the pain in first couple of “chapters” in the unfolding of our self-awareness. We have the choice to move quickly from victimhood to a decision to “walk down a different street,” – a fitting metaphor for making a quantum leap in consciousness.   

Principle Number 4 in Unity is, in essence, making a commitment to the kind of prayer and meditation that builds our communion with God’s Presence thereby releasing the creativity and power of our indwelling Spirit – the Christ of our Being. We have all the Divine Help we need to walk down this “street.”

Here is the reading from the Epilogue in A Course in Miracles that Rev. Steve closed his message with:

“This course is a beginning, not an end. Your Friend (the Holy Spirit) goes with you. You are not alone. No one who calls on Him can call in vain. Whatever troubles you, be certain that He has the answer, and will gladly give it to you, if you simply turn to Him and ask it of Him. He will not withhold all answers that you need for anything that seems to trouble you. He knows the way to solve all problems, and resolve all doubts. His certainty is yours. You need but ask it of Him and it will be given you.

“We trust our ways to Him and say, ‘Amen.’ In peace we will continue in His way, and trust all things to Him. In confidence we wait His answers, as we ask His will in everything we do. He loves God’s Son as we would love him. And He teaches us how to behold him through His eyes and love him as He does. You do not walk alone. God’s angels hover near and all about. His love surrounds you, and of this be sure, I (Jesus) will never leave you comfortless.”

In the new year, what if our willingness to dwell on this great message  becomes our “different street?” What if we more consistently acknowledge and feel the blessed Presence and assurance of the Divine for each of us? It is a worthy resolution, is it not? Happy New Year dear Family!

We love you so,

Rev. Steve and Mary

Going Deeper

1. What represents a “Different Street” for you that you might take in the coming year?
2. What steps do you feel would be practical and doable for you to more fully accept and incorporate the message shared from A Course in Miracles in this week’s message?

Deep Blessings and Gratitude for each of you,

Rev. Steve and Mary

Going Deeper on Zoom – Wednesday, January 11

This group meets on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 pm CT following a new video message. To learn more, Email Mary McIntosh.