George Floyd

Dear Church Family,
 
I was asked by a congregant to address the outrage expressed by the nation over the death of George Floyd. I initially wrote a safe letter that showed how we think of ourselves as loving beings navigating the pain and suffering of others around us.   It was safe because it didn't address the pain and suffering, WE experience in the midst of this. Nor did I share my thoughts on how we complicity participate in the ongoing appearance of separation in our world. 
 
In my defense, I do not like to mix politics with the teaching of spiritual principles. I believe that if we truly embrace Truth through spiritual principles, we deepen our sense of compassion and connection to others, and therefore work toward creating a world of plenty and justice for all. However, as a church family we come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs and each of us is attempting to reconcile faith and action in our lives. 
 
Like you, I experience outrage, sorrow, and frustration when I am aware of unnecessary pain and suffering in our world. Jesus calls us to be a beacon of light and love in the midst of pain and suffering. Yet, sometimes it is difficult to the be beacon of good as I experience sorrow. Can I stand in both worlds and be an effective person and Christian? 
 
I believe we can stand in both emotional spaces and bring about change to our world. A few weeks ago, I spoke to the power of our feeling nature - how it is like the jet fuel to our thoughts. When we put feelings behind our thoughts it manifests into form. We are witnessing that in grand scale now as nation erupts in protests. People are saddened and angry over the perceived abuse of power in America. Some understand this as systemic; others have varying degrees of denial about the existence of abusive power. These are human perspectives that create separation among us. However, in our humanity we all share the experience of feeling hurt, fearful, sad and lack. As Truth Students we know these are human experiences and we often gravitate to our spiritual understandings to clarify our relationship to anything that creates separation.
 
As I call upon Spirit to assist me during my sorrow and anger, I retreat to my faith in God as our Source: one Power and Presence active everywhere in the Universe. I call upon my understanding that each soul is here by divine appointment to assist in the healing of and evolution of our souls. How we respond in our human experience is by choice. We are here to create Oneness. And we get to ask ourselves the question: do my words, thoughts, feelings, and actions contribute to unity or separation? I confess, here is where I am challenged. Sometimes I react rather than act. Sometimes I allow my opinions override the Truth. Sometimes I want to be right rather than allow myself to consider other possibilities. 
 
Therein lies the work I need to do in surrendering my will to God. While this time in history is painful, I keep the faith that the experience is necessary to our unfoldment of Good. I accept that my pain and outrage are human reactions, but also allow them to inform my Spirit that there is much work for us to do in this plane to elevate the consciousness of all sentient beings. I do this by deepening my compassion and opening my heart to bring light and love to those who are suffering. And to myself.   Please join me in holding God's light and love in our world and for ourselves. 
 
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert