Rev. Lucy Wold spoke of a spiritual truth in her recent talk that always gives me pause.  She mentioned we need to be dissatisfied with ourselves in order to grow spiritually.  I think this is absolutely true.  At the same time, there is an emphasis in our culture to learn to see ourselves as worthy, to accept ourselves as we are, and to recognize that we are enough.  I think there is also merit to these ideals because within our culture there exists a great deal of self loathing that can be quite destructive and spiritually debilitating.  And so, I have struggled to reconcile these ideas.  How is it that I can be worthy, accept myself as I am, and feel I am enough while also understanding my limitations and the need to overcome them?

Here is what came to me in meditation:  “You are confusing your value with your journey.  God does not value you more when you overcome some quality of your lower nature.  Your value is constant in God’s eyes.  You have worth because you belong to Him.  But your journey back to God does require the overcoming of your lower nature and so He rejoices in all your successes.  Imagine it like this.  God has given you each a piece of holy clay.  It is holy because it is made of His essence; it is a piece of God.  With this clay you are asked to mold His likeness.  Only when you are able to reveal His image will you truly know Him.  This is your journey.  Each piece of clay has equal value because each has the same potential.  Your living, your consciousness, and your choices mold the clay revealing how well you know your Creator.”

Christ has demonstrated this journey so beautifully.  He continues to be our perfect example.  Because He Lives, we continue to be inspired, uplifted, and encouraged.  Let us make our clay more beautiful in the year to come.

(thoughts and reflections by Andrea Chinn-Parillo)