Spirit of Life, Come to Me

Ponderings of the Spiritual Life Director

 

Each week, fueled by the love from and within this community, I choose to write with positivity and hope for the future.  But after the events this past weekend, I’m feeling weighed down with despair.  With every new shooting, my spirit becomes a little more broken.  With every new hate crime, I become a bit more weary.  With every political argument I read on social media, where citizens of this country can’t seem to speak to one another with one ounce of respect, I lean more towards disconnecting rather than connecting.  I need hope.  And I’m willing to bet all of you do, too.  Spirit of Life, in our time of great need, come to us, come to us.  Bring us to the light of hope.

Here’s some hope and inspiration I found online from other faith leaders.  It helps me to read their words.  I hope it helps you, too.

“…There is a new America being born, and it is fierce, gorgeous and fair. It is multifaith and multiracial. It is built on justice and mercy, and it makes room for everyone.”  -Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding Rabbi, IKAR

 

“And as difficult as it may be in this moment to see beyond our loss, our collective strength is in what remains. ‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’

Not love simply as an emotional response, but love as a collective resolve.

Love that refuses to be consumed by hate. Love that removes the barriers between our faiths and our fears. Love that causes us to see the Divine in one another, and having seen what is holy in the other refuses to let hate win. Love that demands accountable and respectful speech from those in authority. Love that demands sensible gun control in a country that has lost its way. Love that says when one hurts we all hurt, when one grieves, we all grieve, when one is unsafe, we all are unsafe. Love that gives life and refuses to let hate breathe.”  -Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Executive Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries, The United Church of Christ

Together, we are stronger.  Together, we can uplift one another.  Together, we join the flames of our individual love to form a fierce fire that can change the world.  I am so grateful to have UUCL as my faith community, for I know I am not alone.  And neither are you.  Let us walk together- stronger, fiercer- into the future with our love.

Be well and stay strong.

Heather