Spirit Online

April 4, 2010

Quote

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in the springtime.”    -Martin Luther

Scripture

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10

Thoughts

I am a living, breathing miracle ~ this very moment is a miracle.  As you take these thoughts in, still yourself, and become open to your very being-ness.  Breathe deeply, fully, and completely.  No matter what has occurred prior to this very moment, the invitation is for you to relax and just be.

We’ve just celebrated Easter, the resurrection and miracle of Jesus’ transformation.  And before the busyness of our daily lives overtake us once again, let’s revisit and reawaken to the significance of this extraordinary occurrence.  Easter is synonymous with springtime ~ a time of rebirth and regeneration.  With the change in season there is a new beginning, an opportunity for our earth to start fresh and begin anew!  The leaves on the trees and budding of flowers are testament to this activity and we need only stop and be aware.

As wonderful, exciting and joy-filled as Easter is, it can also be a reminder of sadness, challenge, adversity and fear.  It is a sacred and holy time and is more than about spring, more than about overcoming death, more than about Jesus or Christianity.  Easter is a universal message for all humanity and is an invitation for us to awaken to an inner revelation of the invincible spirit of God that dwells in all of us!  The resurrection of Jesus is the reminder to reawaken to that living spirit within and how we can apply that principle in our daily lives.  Resurrection is not just a one-time or annual event, it is a demonstration of a principle that Jesus taught and lived through in the many examples of his ministry. 

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he was resurrecting joy.  When the hemorrhaging woman touched Jesus’ hem, there was a resurrection from the 12 years of suffering into a new level of health and vitality.  When the prodigal son returned to his father, he was resurrected from being lost, confused and wasting his life in greediness.  The story of the loaves and fishes is one of resurrection from lack and limitation to the truth of abundance.  What Jesus taught and demonstrated over and over again is that the same resurrecting power that he possessed is the same resurrecting power that can transform our lives from any hopelessness, fear and jealousy, depression or addiction that we may be walking through.  That power is alive within each one of us and is never ending.

In his book, “The Greatest Miracle in the World” Og Mandino says that the greatest miracle in the world is when a human being comes back from “the living dead.” Too often we get beaten down in life and we feel hopeless, helpless; that our lives won’t get any better.  Although we are breathing and moving around, we aren’t really living; we just exist.  He encourages us to reawaken and come back from the living dead to live more joyously, more vibrantly, with hope and enthusiasm ~ and that is the greatest miracle in the world!  Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said that resurrection doesn’t mean one has to come back from the grave.  Rather it is a lifting up of our consciousness to be unified with the Christ consciousness to transform us out of any negative situation or disappointment and hurt in our lives so we can live more abundantly by Jesus’ example.

Jesus is not the great exception; Jesus is the great example, our master teacher ~ and what do teachers do?  They teach their students how to do it for themselves.  Jesus never said worship me ~ he said, “Follow me.”  He encouraged us to awaken to the resurrecting power and spirit in us and showed us how to use it in our daily lives…and not just once a year at Easter but every day.  We can do this by accepting that we have the power within us to shift how we think and feel about what is going on.  Recognize when fear grips us and prevents us from moving forward to do what is ours to do.  Do not allow fear to control our lives.  Ask yourself the question: What in my life do I want to do or have that I am allowing fear to stop me from doing or having?  Jesus walked through the most painful of all experiences; his own death and he overcame.  Use that as the example to face your fear and know you have the power to overcome as well.

Scripture reminds us that Jesus came that we may have life and live it more abundantly.  The question is are you living life the way you want, fully and completely, and are you using the Christ power in you just like Jesus, to face those things that are before you?  Know as you are willing to face and walk through those fears, you will be liberated; you will live life more abundantly just as Jesus promised.

Yes, friend, with every breath you take, recognize you are a living breathing miracle, rejoice in that!  A powerful lesson about the resurrection is our ability to resurrect our consciousness, our ability and attitude to see the magnificence of life itself, within our very bodies and all around us!  Let that be the gift of Easter ~ God bless you!

Prayer

Almighty God, I thank you for the gift of Jesus.  As I reflect on his many examples, I feel empowered to move through any fears that arise in my life and I am blessed with courage and strength, wisdom, peace and guidance.  Miracles surround and enfold me everywhere I look ~ thank you God for the miracle of life!  And so it is, Amen.