Two years ago today I took the first of many steps that would carry me 500 miles from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to de Santiago Compostela, Spain, known as the Camino Francés. This first day was the most challenging with an 18-mile hike over the Pyrenees from France into Spain. It was not only the distance, but the elevation that contributed to the level of difficulty. An unexpected storm kicked up with high winds, sheets of rain, thunder and lightning that made it seem life-threatening. I embarked upon my journey alone.
By the end of the day, through the journey and its challenges, I became part of a community that bonded together by a common goal. We each had unique motivations for embarking upon the journey. Yet, we were bonded by the inner desire to accomplish something extraordinary. On that day alone, the first of many, we simply wanted to arrive at the destination alive and unharmed. We banded and bonded together that day. Some of those folks I never saw again but they are etched in my mind and heart as part of a journey we took together. Others I met that day, we would walk significant parts of the rest of the journey together. We became family.
In many ways we are on a Camino together here at Unity Renaissance. I've even been calling those who have committed to the 40-Day Prosperity Program as "pilgrims." We are all bonded by a common goal. Our journey is one of spiritual awakening and transformation of our lives and the world. We band together through challenges and are bonded by our commitment to this goal. And though we each go about our "individual" lives during the week, we touch base together to share our journey, remind one another of our goal, and to buoy one another up when the storms arrive. We are family. I can't imagine my life without the spiritual family I have cultivated and committed to, bonded by a common goal and understanding of how life truly works.
Our community is simply beautiful. It is filled with so much love. It is truly a family. Yet, we face challenges. We are getting to know one another, exploring ideas for how things “ought” to be, merging our ideas, preferences and cultures as we become willing to ReImagine our new identity in a changing world. While many areas are beginning to stabilize, we are still challenged by the metrics that tend to measure the success of a church -- numbers -- "butts in the seat" and our willingness to financially support what it takes to run a ministry that serves so many. The climate around us seems to be dramatically changing. The political climate seems to be kicking up quite a storm. For some of us, getting to the end of the day safely and sanely can seem like quite a task.
Yet through it all, we have something that is so mighty and powerful that it not only carries us through the day but helps us to rise above it all and see beyond the storms. Our power lies in one another and our common commitment to the Spirit of Truth that we practice, moment by moment, breath by breath.
While we experience the internal and external changes of the world, I encourage us to remember what binds us together on this Camino named Unity Renaissance. My hope and prayer are that you show up, stand up and participate in what we are creating in support of our vision of spiritual awakening and our mission of transforming the world. Now is the time and we are poised in the power of the Spirit of Truth our founders dedicated their lives to. Let us embrace this moment, fully present to what Spirit is unfolding, and move forward united in love, purpose, and the shared vision of a world transformed.