He who is filled with love is filled with God…

— St. Augustine

Greetings, Inspired Seekers!

Which self do you bring to the world each day? Big question. Inside each of us there is a small, ego-driven self, caught up in the trappings of daily life. And there is the larger Self, the one whose purpose, meaning and focus greets the world with compassion and unity. And they are, often, at odds with each other. The internal battle wages and expands to an external one.

The external battle, in part, is fueled by our internal belief that we all have “our tribe.” But the larger Self knows that “our tribe” is, really, the wider world. And that, my fellow seekers, can make life and the choices we make a bit messy.

Watching the news at night means watching the messiness play out in front of us in living color. And, as the events of the day unfold, is seems as if the smaller self is in charge - that those with rigid social and religious boundaries are creating more separation and forming new tribes. With clenched fists, we hear words that tell us that there is only one right way to believe and one right way to live. And the heart of our larger self begins to break as more separation unfolds, sometimes in violent ways.

I often see this as misplaced loyalty; loyalty and attachment that fuels the smallness of our humanity and the need for us to feel chosen. But, when we feel chosen, it means that others are not. Others are left out, abandoned, neglected. The missing element here, the missing link in the smaller self, is love. And love, in all its forms, is the characteristic most valued by all great spiritual leaders.

From Jesus to Buddha, from Gandhi to Lao Tzu, living in love was always the goal. And that love extended to everyone. When we can honestly live like those leaders, giving and receiving love, we are enfolded in it. Always. Even in our suffering.

When our larger Self rises to the surface and we really know that we are not the center of the Universe, the small self steps aside and makes space for a larger life, without fear. That is growth. That is love. That is grace. That is what we are meant to bring to the world each day. Big question. Big answer.

Grace-Fully Yours,
Reverend Deborah

Monthly Affirmation: I bring grace to the world each day.

The Reverend Dr. Deborah Darlington supports people on their quests to develop their true purpose and be the gift they were meant to be. She can be reached at 215 260 1611 or at GraceMatters@TheSpaceForGrace.com.