This morning, as I opened my eyes, I heard this morning’s message. This one thing I do. This One Thing I do. And so, as I sit in meditation and prayer, knowing Vibrant Health and Wholeness for each one of us, I listen for Spirit to Guide this process of connecting with our Beloved Community.
I recognize this phrase as part of one of my favorite Bible verses, and as I do a little research, I find that it is found in the Apostle Paul’s Letters to the Philippians: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13) What a perfect message as we move into the celebration of Easter with its release and renewal, and as we keep our eyes on Health and Wellness during this compelling time. For greater understanding, let’s put Paul’s words into context and translate some of the traditional Christian language into a metaphysical interpretation.
First of all, the Letter of Paul to the Philippians in the Christian New Testament was written while he was in prison, probably at Rome about 62 CE, and addressed to the Christian congregation he had established in Macedonia. What has Paul not laid hold of yet? His goal is perfection. What? Yes, perfection. I know that there have been times in my life that I have judged myself harshly for not yet being perfect in one way or another. Does this ring true for anyone but me?
It’s true that Paul is not faultless; neither does he expect to achieve perfection in his present lifetime. So, he uses the analogy of a runner in a race to illustrate the motivation of his spiritual life. Like a dedicated runner, he has a single goal. Just as a runner cannot be successful unless she concentrates fully on the race, neither can Paul be successful growing in the realization of Christ Consciousness if he allows other distractions to steal his attention.
Continuing the running analogy, Paul also chooses to live by an important principle… with a sense of pure single-mindedness, he keeps his attention focused on the road in front of him. A runner cannot look backward and still focus on the goal ahead. These two actions are mutually exclusive. He must focus on the steps between where he is and where he wants to be. This is a metaphor for Paul’s spiritual life, and for yours and mine. As we refuse to look back to past steps, giving focus to improving each step moving forward, we will ultimately reach the goal of being with Christ, living from our Christ Nature.
As I write, another passage is floating through my awareness…another one of my favorites. I am reminded that there are similar messages written throughout the Hebrew Old Testament, as well as the New. Nehemiah 6:2-4 says this: “I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: ‘I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?’ Four times they sent this message and four times I gave them my answer.” Again, let’s set the context.
In 445 BCE, according to Jewish tradition, Nehemiah returned with the third group of Babylonian exiles to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He is concerned that without the protection of the city walls, the people will be in danger of yet another attack. Why is it so important that it is Nehemiah who makes this statement? He was a layman, a regular Joe…not a priest like Ezra nor a prophet like Malachi. He had served the Persian king as a civil servant…a secular position… before leading a group of Jews to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the city walls. He had experience in the king’s court, which equipped him adequately for the political and physical reconstruction necessary for the returning community to survive. But it is important to understand that his single-minded focus, as well as his deep faith, that made him such a strong leader. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the Jewish people withstood opposition and came together to accomplish their goal. Nehemiah led by example, allowing his heart to lead him.
Okay, so what does this offer us today, as we live in the modern world? It speaks once again to the benefit of maintaining our focus on what we are looking to experience as we move forward on this spiritual journey we call life. And it reminds us to practice our single-minded focus in complete faith that we will be successful. Coming back to our metaphysical interpretation of this passage, what does it offer us? What is it that is ‘scheming to hurt me’? What is it that ‘sent this message four times’? It is my negative thinking, my distracting thoughts that tempt me to quit. It is the Committee that lives in my head…the one that says, “It’ll never work…you’re not good enough…look at the facts, Jack!…There’s plenty to be scared about…”, and on and on the litany goes. This is nothing but the presence of the ego-mind, trying to protect me. This is an ancient automatic brain response that is better suited to running from tigers than it is to creatively intending, claiming, and embodying my most desirable life experience. So, what do I do about this seemingly-endless, mindless chatter?
As my first teacher said repeatedly, “Do your Spiritual Practices.” Does it always come back to that? Yes. Isn’t there some kind of shortcut? No.
With that in mind, I commit myself to my daily Practice. I go beyond commitment…I make a covenant, a freely-chosen agreement with God. My side of the agreement is this: I will spend time daily in prayer, meditation, study, journaling, yoga, tai chi…whatever feeds my soul and re-connects me with Spirit. And in return, God’s Grace lifts me up, allowing me to freely flow with the current of Life. I no longer experience resistance and narrow-mindedness. My mind and heart work as one, Guiding me in the ways that serve my Highest Good. As I care for my physical self with healthy eating, regular exercise, and decreasing the stress in my life, so I care for my Higher Self by maintaining my soul-nourishing Practice.
On this, the 42nd day of the Lenten Season, the day known as Holy Tuesday, “I feast on self-care.” (Fasting and Feasting 2020) I set down all that come before this moment on the Altar…I let it go, in gratitude for where I am now. I maintain my focus on this moment, and on what lies in front of me. I attend to my thoughts, intentions, feeling, words, and actions, gently catching and redirecting anything that no longer serves me. And I do my Spiritual Practice…diligently…lovingly…willingly.
There are some beautiful questions offered, in today’s reading from Unity’s Fasting and Feasting 2020, by Meditation Teacher Rev. Claudell Mirabai County. I offer them now as food for contemplation from now until Easter Sunday.
“What does my loving heart want from me today? What soul gift can I give? What feast can I prepare?”
“What does the holy presence in me want me to have today?”
“What will fill my craving?”
In closing for today, I honor Rev. Claudell by offering her words of affirmation:
“Formed from the soul of the one heart, I know I have enough, I am good enough, I am wise enough right now.” I claim my Good, without expectation of what form that Good takes…open to more Joy, more Beauty, and a greater experience of Life than I have ever known. I am so grateful to know that my Word is Powerful and is here and now drawing Absolute Blessing into my world. And so, I let go and let God…And so it is…Amen!
So simple, so profound.
May we all be well…stay in touch…know our Unity…and thrive!
And may we know the Absolute Beauty and Wonder of this Grace-filled, once-in-a lifetime day…
