This Sunday begins the first of four weeks of Advent, in which we spiritually prepare for the birth of the Christ at Christmas. For us in Unity, the birth of Christ refers to a consciousness of our oneness with God and all of creation. Advent is a journey we can each take to ready ourselves for this awakening.
The journey begins with hope, the positive expectation of a future possibility, and faith. We can actively engage faith, for it is one of our 12 spiritual powers. In Unity, we teach that faith increases as we evolve in a spiral from hope, to blind faith, to an understanding faith; developing our faith in greater degrees. Faith is our “Yes Power.”
The majority of people live their lives, for the most part, in hope or blind faith. For a moment, consider yourself. You begin in hope. And if for some reason something is going on in your life where you cannot activate your faith, then begin with hope, because that is the start. And it is that belief, that trust, that somehow, some way, things are going to get better. Things are going to be okay.
I believe that life is a path of faith, a faith journey, and part of the challenge is to hold on to your faith even in the midst of doubt and fear. You learn to say no to doubt and fear, and yes to hope and faith!
Blind faith is different than hope. It is an instinctive trust in a higher power. You pray to God, “Dear God, help me!” Somehow, you have a level of trust, even if you know nothing about spiritual principle. And blind faith can work.
Understanding faith, however, is based on an immutable principle—the knowledge that God is absolute good and that God’s Will for you is absolute good. There is a knowing that God is not a punishing God, but a God of love who wants the very best for you. An understanding faith knows that God wants your health and wholeness, your prosperity and abundance. And it knows that the desires of your heart are God’s Will and Good for you “tapping at the door of your consciousness.”
You engage your faith, knowing that the true spiritual desires of your heart will be fulfilled as you affirm and pray and know that they are going to manifest. You apply the law by your thoughts, your words, and by your actions. You think it, you speak it, and you act as if… and then it will be done. That is understanding faith, saying yes to your Good, and applying principle.
During this first week of Advent, may you call forth your power of faith, and may it help you to say “YES” to not only a season but a lifetime of greater good!
