“We look, not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)
We are always in the midst of choice. We are always deciding whether to stand on the neck of someone or to help them up. We do this personally and as a nation. We can be quick to judge and slow to forgive yet what if we could turn that around. Be quick to forgive and slow to judge.
I went to a movie last Sunday “It ends with Us.” This movie starring Blake LIvely and Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate was an outstanding, beautiful and real depiction of how love always comes through, even when, from the outside it looks like its not.
It’s a movie about anger management and it also shows how love, relationships, power and control is part of how we participate in our own evolution. Anger is an energy that is part of being human.
Nor should we feel, when we are angry, that there is something wrong with us. Spiritual maturity helps us to see there is always a choice. For those who have not noticed this, they are still in the grips of reacting to much deeper programs and issues that are running them. .
We are living in conversations where some want to ban books or topics to discuss – but those topics are not bad nor wrong, they are part of the fabric of being human. It is culture that needs to evolve; culture, the idea of honor, ego often keeps us stuck in the loop of violence.
To be able to watch such a movie or read books that give us different perspectives gives us a deeper understanding of humanity. It is the first step in helping someone to be released from unhealthy action and also to help someone get out of an unhealthy relationship.
Abuse/violence is not okay, and it cannot be ignored. Challenging topics will not go away because they are part of how we evolve as a human race. Violence, abuse is not a female issue only. Violence and abuse stems from the need to control and this need to control stems from the frightened child within us all.
So what can we do?
How can we all learn to release our anger and rage (which is part of our human condition)?
Focus is a great tool to use. Focus on what is a possible good outcome in this situation.
What would be the highest and best for all involved?
Can we as a community develop the capacity to choose life over ideology?
Can we choose to respond in love anyway? Can we see and understand that leaving a relationship can be the most loving thing one can do rather than to enable a further passing on to the next generation that violence is acceptable.
The movie “It ends with us” is based on a book by Colleen Hoover. This movie is about awakening to the love within so we do not fall victim to fear. We all must fan that flame of love so that we do not continue in any unhealthy activities, habits, cycles.
Choose to focus on the highest and best. Have faith that all things on the outer will pass away but the essence of love that we are will not.
Reach inside and love yourselves so much, which gives permission to others to do likewise.
Love anyway,
Rev Janice
