LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS OF LOVE

Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth
You owe me
Look what happens with a love like that
It lights up the whole sky (By Hafiz)

                        The world is just waiting for a global shift in consciousness! The shift coming is from fear to love. Everything which does not originate from love, is an outcry for love. We are the ones created to answer this cry!

                        Christ said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love must begin with self. If we don't have self-love, we have no love to give to others. It is impossible to give away what we don't possess!

                        In this scripture Christ is revealing, all love originates from the essence of self-love. When we are able to accept and love ourselves unconditionally, then we will be able to reflect love to others. We will no longer feel the need to be defensive, protective, or guarded. At that moment we will be open to give unconditional love, because everyone we see will be a reflection of ourselves.

                        Recently someone sent me a video of a person who went out on the street with a sign which read: "FREE HUGS? " You would be surprised at the responses he received. Some people walked far out of his reach, not wanting to get within hugging distance of him. They reasoned he must be crazy to want to hug strangers. Some people laughed as they walked by, but still circled far from his reach.

                        What touched my heart were the ones who did stop and give him a hug. It brought tears to my eyes. Complete strangers hugging and embracing each other in love! The ones who choose to stop embodied diverse ethnic and cultural differences. They were all ages, from young children to older adults. It was a beautiful sight. As one would go over to hug, it seemed to bring down the barriers for other passing, and they would join the hug. A few time it would end up in a huge group hug. Each one left with a giant smile on their face. What a beautiful idea this young man had. I am sure it touched every life in some profound way. For just a moment they let their guard down and hugged for no other reason than love....... I will not forget that video!

                        Can you imagine a world in which each us of made our decisions based on love? A world in which every deed, every word, and every thought would be filter through the lens of love before it manifested? A world in which love dominated each man, woman, and child's life? I believe this is the world Christ came and demonstrate was a potential for mankind.

                        Love must begin with self. Appreciate how wonderfully you are created. You are a remarkable part of divine spirit. Have gratitude for your life. Forgive yourself and tell yourself how you are created in the very image of God, which is the essence of pure love. You are loved unconditionally at every moment. Remember in scripture how Paul became fully persuaded that nothing could separate him from the love of God? Are you persuaded? This one revelation will change your life forever. It will enable you to love yourself unconditionally. You will stop judging yourself and others and begin to look through the lens of love.

                        Start being gentle with yourself. Don't live in blame or continue to see yourself as less than others. Know you came here on divine purpose. You are no accident! See yourself as an extension of God and begin giving gratitude for all that comes your way.

                        Begin now in this moment....think love. Say to yourself, "I love you. You are the divine essence of love incarnate." Take a minute and close your eyes and see yourself in divine perfection and wholeness. Know that you are a spiritual being having a journey into this realm of time, space, and matter. Let your mind ponder how you originated from a state of pure love. Relax and enjoy that love as it encompasses all you are. Can you remember...you truly are Love?

                        It has taken you years to forget who you are, now your must take a few minutes everyday to remember. Remember and begin to shift you awareness back to love. Back to the source of your being. As you shift from within it will effect all of creation. You are the change you have been looking for!

                        Let your decision be to shift the world by viewing everything through the lens of love. Those which might challenge or anger you, next time respond in some loving way. Give them a reassuring word or a hug. Remember anger is only a cry for love. Find some way to express compassion and love to those hard to love people in your life.

                        Make a consciousness effort to respond to criticism, frustration, disappointment, and anger with love. Give yourself a moment of quiet when confronted, let the love within begin to bubble up until it dispels all that seems to be part of the human experience. See from the lens of love.....love yourself deeply. Forgive those which have hurt you, use you, and forsake you. The Bible tells us to forgive is divine. How true. Forgiveness can only come from our divine nature. It is within you just waiting for you to tap into it.

                        Live your life with the intent to share your love. Look for opportunities in the next week to smile at others and as you do send them love. Give them a silent blessing as you walk by. Watch as their eyes light up. Feel the love increase inside of you as you give it away.

                        You can change your world by looking through the lens of love!

                        Loving Each Of You,

                        Mary Lou Houllis
                        Pastor