Click HERE to view Rev. Jimmie Scott’s guided meditation during the service.
SUMMARY OF MESSAGE:
Rev. Richard Maraj continued his five-week “Songs of Life” series with an exploration of what we can learn from John Lennon’s iconic hit, “Imagine.”
The beautiful song, “Imagine,” invites us to envision a world rooted in peace, compassion and oneness—and to participate in creating it. Its spiritual message unfolds through four invitations that can transform both our personal lives and the world we share.
HOPE: Believe that something better is possible.
Our present circumstances do not have to determine our future. Relationships can heal, communities can become more compassionate and we can grow beyond past disappointments. Hope begins when we shift our attention from what is wrong to what is possible. Even during difficult times, we have the power to choose our thoughts, deepen our faith and respond differently. A better life begins with believing that new possibilities remain available to us.
RELEASE: Let go of what disturbs your peace.
Resentment, regret, fear, judgment and the need to control can consume our energy and create separation. Our attachment to possessions, status or expectations can also obscure our spiritual identity. Releasing these burdens makes room for forgiveness, faith, abundance and oneness. We begin by asking what we are holding on to, what it is costing us and what we are willing to surrender to God. Becoming a peacemaker includes making peace within ourselves while maintaining healthy boundaries.
IMAGINE: Give your spiritual creativity a direction.
Unity recognizes imagination as one of our 12 spiritual powers. We can use it to envision healthier relationships, a more fulfilling future and a more loving world. A clear vision focuses our attention, intention and creative energy. As powerful, creative spiritual beings, we can consciously picture greater possibilities and begin bringing them into expression.
EMBODY: Be the change you want to see in the world.
Our vision becomes meaningful through our daily choices. To experience more peace, love and understanding, we must express those qualities ourselves. Each time we choose kindness over indifference, forgiveness over resentment or understanding over judgment, we help create a different world. The invitation is to become the consciousness that makes our highest vision possible—through our thoughts, words and actions.