From Where I Sit

In her poem that closes her book, “Everything Is a Story.” Kaitlin Curtice writes “ ...decide to trust yourself and make room for The Universe ... to transform you.” That simple but profound counsel connected for me at so many levels: “trust yourself,” “make room for The Universe,” “transform.”

In my sour moments I sometimes feel that religion can be so parochial, so judgmental, so confining - rules, rules, rules. I know that boundaries can be useful, but I am drawn to a spirituality that affirms our gifts, that is compassionate, that stretches the spirit and enlarges life.

There are those whose core theology is that we need to be saved from our sins. I am no longer one of them. While I do acknowledge that we sometimes separate ourselves from God, a classic definition of sin, I believe that in creation we receive an Original Blessing, that we are beloved children of God. The implication then is that we are trustworthy, and that we capable of trusting ourselves. That offers a new perspective on how we live and for our relationships with others. We are not in this life alone and we can live in union with others and the world.

In making “room for The Universe” we are invited to expand our vision. I grew up on the flat lands of northern Indiana. I need the horizon - it gives me my bearings. New England, heavily wooded as it is, has been a challenge for me. Here I need to go to a high place or to the ocean to see the horizon. There is another marker for me - Polaris - the north star - it orients me - connects me to The Universe. Making room for The Universe in our lives helps us to understand who we are, whose we are, and what our purpose is.

It is ironic that the word transform rhymes with the word conform. Sadly, so many Christian institutions are more about conforming than transformation. When Jesus gathered his disciples and followers around him, his was a transforming Presence. They wanted to hear what he had to say and were willing to walk with him. His accepting and challenging words were good news in a world filled with bad news. They were transformed into people who turned the world upside down.

My Easter message to you is simple: “Trust yourself and make room for The Universe to transform you.”