YOU WILL NOT BE OVERCOME

[God] did not say: You will not be assailed, you will not be belabored, you will not be disquieted, but he said: You will not be overcome.  --  Julian of Norwich

For years now, I have studied the words of Julian of Norwich and Meister Eckhart and other mystics and saints, and today when I see the inner me...my origins, my centered spiritual beliefs...I feel awed...graced by doubt and by hope.

Another wonder is that I recognize the core of my first writing for my blog, nothing is original with me. I knew that, but I did not know that...I didn't even wonder at the wonder of it. Yet, here I am...in wonder of it today.

I am reminded of my early days in seeking spiritual growth and not even knowing that was the essence of my search. I knew I wanted what the first 100 members of my fellowship had...and I found that all they had to learn from was the Sermon on the Mount. Knowing less than nothing about the Sermon, I studied the King James version (not the E-Z read translations and versions of others). 

When I came to the part saying if someone slaps you upside your head, turn the other cheek...no doubt "I do not think so" was my first thought. I know I considered it too religiously radical, and I know I tossed the Sermon aside and went back to reading my Big Book...studying, underlining, highlighting, feeling good. 

Then I came to the line in my Big Book that we have ceased fighting everything and everybody. I froze. Not being entirely stupid, I inner knew that was code for turn the other cheek. 

Back I went to the Sermon. Imagine my surprise, my shock!, when I realized that all it teaches is love, pure and simple. Love the snakes in the grass and the rainbows in the sky and every single thing in between...and here's how: Resist not, and pray thank you.

I am still using the Sermon as the Word for unselfed love at which I fail often but I succeed more than I ever dreamed I could want to...close enough for me today as it continues to lead me toward still more spiritual growth.

And the promise holds: You will not be overcome.

Thank you.