Embracing a Higher Vision

I recently returned from spending a week attending the Unity South Central Region leadership conference at Unity Village which included keynote addresses from Howard Martin, Executive Vice President, Strategic Development, at HeartMath, LLC. Among other things, he presented information gathered from scientific experiments evidencing the energetic connection between humans, as well as with all other forms of life. Additionally, he shared educational and inspirational information about how our mental and emotional states impact the world around us.

The majority of what he presented was not strikingly new information to me, but hearing about the scientifically based evidence and seeing graphs and charts demonstrating the findings helped to re-energize my commitment to passionately share the Unity teachings.

Much of what he shared is further evidence of what our founders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, and other New Thought pioneers taught more than 100 years ago. They did not require the proof of scientific experiments, which were not available at the time, but instead relied on personal experience and faith to be the “assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

The conference also included presentations from Jim Blake, CEO of Unity World Headquarters, and Rev. Donna Johnson, President and CEO of Unity Worldwide Ministries. Both Jim and Donna shared their excitement about the two organizations coming together in more powerful ways now that Unity Worldwide Ministries has relocated to the campus at Unity Village. They talked about their shared vision and commitment to working together more closely to uplift the Unity movement and expand and strengthen our sphere of influence around the world. I was inspired to hear that the organizations now have a joint vision statement. It is “A world powerfully transformed through the growing movement of shared spiritual awakening.”

On Wednesday evening, I, along with several hundred others, attended a rally at Unity Village Chapel. It was presented by the leadership team of the Association for Global New Thought (AGNT). The primary purpose of AGNT is to give the New Thought movement a “clear voice and commanding presence on the global stage.” ¹ Their theme for the coming year is “Bolder Together.” The focus of the rally was to stress the importance and power of bringing together churches and ministries from Unity, Centers for Spiritual Living, Agape, and other New Thought movements for the purpose of sharing our message of hope and empowerment for the world and for taking courageous stands for social justice, equanimity, and equality. I was inspired and enlivened by the messages and the clearly stated vision for us in New Thought to work together to make a difference in the world, not just through the power of helping to affect a shift of consciousness, but also by taking spiritually-motivated action.

I am excited to be a part of Unity, a progressive spiritual movement, and AGNT who are both willing to boldly proclaim the truth that we teach and speak with one voice in support of co-creating a world that works for all people, irrespective of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion or any other of the labels we often use to separate us.

The experiences last week helped to catalyze my desire for us at Unity Spiritual Center Denver to develop a clearly articulated vision that reflects that of these two organizations and to create a plan for living into that vision. My question for us is, how can we as a member ministry of Unity, support the larger vision of Unity Worldwide Ministries, Unity World Headquarters and AGNT? And, taking it one step further, how can I as a member of USCD, personally support this vision?

At times it can seem daunting to consider all that needs to be done, yet I know that every vision is realized one step at a time. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said,

“Take the first step in faith. You do not need to see the whole staircase,
just take the first step.”

It is important for me and for all of us to be reminded that we do not need to know all of the steps along the way, but it is vital to begin by taking the first step. We do not need to know how the vision is going to be realized, instead we must focus on the vision, the “what,” and allow each step along the staircase to reveal itself in its perfect time.

The first step, as I see it, is for us to commit to the vision. It is imperative, if we are to realize the vision of a world that works for everyone, that we commit, not just in our minds and by our words, but also in our hearts. We must be willing to allow this vision to be the guiding light by which we are directed in every step we take.

I hope you will join me in embracing and stepping into a bigger vision for Unity Spiritual Center Denver. Let us begin by asking ourselves, “What is mine to do?” And, listen intently to the still, small voice for Spirit speaking within the heart.

Know that living into a higher vision may require us to take a step outside our comfort zones, but with faith, we can know that we are given everything we need in every moment to do what is ours to do. Let us join Unity cofounder, Charles Fillmore, in proclaiming,

“I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that ought to be done by me.”

Join us on Sunday at 10:00 for our service as we explore Embracing a Higher Vision.

¹ From the AGNT.org website