The Rocky Road

[Jim Spencer]

 remember a passage from a song from the UC Red Song Book; "You have become so beautiful through all of your suffering." And, it seems; that the present road through the material plan is a rocky road indeed! Would that I could just learn my lessons in peace and implement them easily? Instead, it seems to be that the course often takes us through the world of pain. The UC is a suffering church; always some new challenge to overcome. We have the ideal; but things don't seem to work out that way. Time and time again; we are crushed and demoralized; both physically and spiritually. Just when the road seems to get smooth; some new trauma comes along which upsets the applecart; spilling the apples all over the road. And then we have to get down on our hands and knees and pick them up again.

The apples are bruised and we are bruised. For, this is part of the training course for the sons and daughters of God. I remember a lecture by Rev. Ken Sudo back in 1975. He described our minds as having many layers. He said that we have to open them up one by one, to Father, so that we could be cleansed. These layers lie deep in our subconscious minds; and things have to come up to the surface to reach the sunlight from down within. Some of our "issues" go all the way back to the resentment that was created during the Lucifer Rebellion.

I don't know about you other brothers and sisters of the 1975 Missionaries; but; I have had my share of heartaches; mistakes; and hard lessons. I wish I could say that it is over but I'm afraid that I still have much work to do in order to be able to live each and every moment totally within the presence of God---the place of God consciousness and self-realization. There were years when I was going backwards and was really stuck in my sin. This year has been the year of the most spiritual growth ever. But, it does not come without a price.

We were designed to start life as a helpless baby; totally dependent upon the nurturing of our parents.

It was through this love that we developed from completely self-centered beings into mature; altruistic sons and daughter; and brothers and sisters with every other human being on earth. If the nurturing was not there because of domestic circumstances or because the parents did not have the ability to nurture; then a "great big hole in my heart" was created. This "hole" has to be filled with something---and many people have filled that hole with all kinds of things that create pain; destroy God's gift of Free Will; and do not allow us to live fruitful lives of peace, love, happiness; and serenity.

There are so many helpers around. According to the Urantia Revelation; there is a giant conflaguration of spiritual forces whose only purpose is to guide us to perfection".

Yes, the road is rocky; but we are always surrounded by the angels. The path is steep and treacherous; but those who persevere; and keep their gaze fixated on Him; Michael of Nebadon; formerly known as Jesus of Nazareth----shall find an eternal Paradise which is filled with the Love of God. There; there will be no more sorrows; no more goodbys. The eternal nature of love shall become all pervading and always refreshing as it is conveyed through the Spirit of Truth; The Holy Spirit; and the Divine Spirit that lives in each one of us. As the road ahead gets broader; flatter; it sometimes gets more difficult; as we are better able to handle the unadulterated truth about ourselves. AT the same time; we are becoming known in the spiritual world; as Soldiers of Truth. March on my brothers; on that inward road to freedom.

Father, my prayer to you is that you continuously shine your light down upon me; and teach me to live in the present moment with unconditional forgiveness----for all other people; an; for myself. Let me love and totally forgive myself so that I can continually live in your presence; every moment of my life.

God is our Father. He is not a religion. His only requirement is that we believe in Him; trust in Him; and try our best to do His will which is the way with the most love in it. Father, have your angels surround us and protect our hearts. We give you our total devotion; our loyalty; our fidelity. We give and seek your Trust. We know that your love will always be with us.