The other night, when I couldn’t fall asleep, I got up and did some channel surfing. Nothing of interest is on in the wee hours of the morning; but, the televangelist, Joel Osteen, attracted my attention.
Though I know little about him, I was impressed by the size of his audience–ENORMOUS–and found his message interesting; probably because it was so compatible with my own: Become clear about your personal Ideal and soul purpose. And, employ this,rather than any outside influence, as your moral compass, motivation, and touchstone in life.
He focused on how many allow themselves to become side-tracked, dispirited, and far less than God intended them to be by trying to “fit in” and become extensions of a family “group soul” rather than the full expression of their unique Self.
The examples and teachings he used to clarify his point were King David’s life and Jesus’ teachings. The former, though shunned and denigrated by his father and siblings for being “different,” was recognized by those outside his immediate circle for his extraordinary qualities, talents, and uniqueness. He eventually became King.
Jesus both exemplified and taught his Disciples that, more often than not, one must break free from grasping family “bonds” and “shake the dust” from one’s feet while moving beyond one’s home turf to find a nurturing, receptive, compatible environment in which to flourish and become the full expression of the Individual you were created and meant to be.
What a nice surprise to hear this message from unexpected quarters! It served to remind me: There is only one Truth, but many ways to express it. There is only one Mountain Top, but many paths to reach it.
