Unity of Wimberley

There’s an old Swedish proverb that says, “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” So, how do we keep our anxiety to a manageable minimum? Today we explore where worry really comes from and a few simple tools to keep it in check.

Fear is born of the unknown, the unexpected, the perceived notion that we are in danger. Beyond the immediate, necessary, and very real fear that our lives are truly at risk in certain circumstances, there is the fear that is a construct of our own making. That is usually the fear that drives our thoughts and actions toward human solutions (also a construct of our own making), and away from the true safety, guidance, and comfort that is our life in Spirit. It is important for us to learn the difference between them and to begin dismantling our conditioned responses to the invisible fears that disturb us, even as we move closer to “God in every moment.”

This month we will be exploring spiritual concepts from many different religious and spiritual traditions, borrowing from the Qur’an, the Hebrew Bible, Hinduism, and many others. This Sunday, we examine the ideas of acceptance and surrender, the first steps of spiritual growth. You may be surprised that have more in common than we have differences! This is in keeping with our purpose this month in embracing diversity and Oneness---and discovering where we are holding onto unconscious or conditioned beliefs.

We would be hard-pressed to find the concepts of compassion and service omitted from any of the world’s great spiritual teachings. Sometimes hearing familiar ideas in the words of another culture’s writing stimulates our imagination and understanding. If ever the world needed us to hold compassion in our hearts and practice it through selfless service, it is now!

As we continue our exploration of the great spiritual truths from a variety of world scriptures across all traditions, it is of utmost importance that we embrace our Oneness with all of humanity---indeed all of life. We continue to embrace the paradox of being absolutely infinitesimal in the overarching scope of the Universe, while also acknowledging that we are absolutely essential to the Whole as an expression of the Divine. We need each other!

It may seem as though nothing in the world is the same anymore. We as a species have experienced head-spinning changes in our social, economic, technological and ecological “norms” in a very short amount of time. How does that shift our understanding of God…and better yet, our conversations about God?

For three years, Jesus traveled and taught with his chosen and beloved companions. His most amazing and teachable lessons were in their presence. We too are companions of the living Christ presence. We’ll explore how to call upon that Presence when our lives are at their most confusing and unsettled, or when fear is powering “the boat.”

Joseph (of “the coat of many colors”) endured betrayal at the hands of family and strangers. He went to prison unjustly. And yet, he matured and learned from the voice of God that was ever present with him. In the end, his victories echo our victories---if we allow ourselves to be saturated with Grace, and if we are willing to turn our misfortunes and disappointments into works of generosity and wisdom.

Have you wrestled with yourself? With God? With forces outside yourself? We can use the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) story of Jacob to see how to do it, what to expect, and what the outcome could be. This story is timeless and relevant to this day. We’ll look at from many perspectives, all helpful in our current journey.