"Running from Safety"
by Rev. Christine
2/22/98

Today’s topic is titled "Running from Safety." The following is an article which I found rather amusing and somewhat appropriate, titled "Bizarre disorder makes kids too friendly to strangers." These are the signs of Williams syndrome, as it is known:

1. An extremely happy, friendly and trusting, and usually strike up conversations with complete strangers — which can be worrisome for a parent.

2. Usually have some or all of elfin-like characteristics; large eyes, a large mouth, an upturned nose, curly hair, full lips and small teeth.

3. Are hypersensitive to loud noises like bells, whistles or sirens.

4. Usually have incredible memories for extreme details.

5. Possess a chromosome disorder, which is not hereditary but can lead to learning difficulties.

"People with Williams syndrome seem to keep those marvelous things that we lose as we mature," said Dr. Howard Lenhoff, a research professor at UC-Irvine whose daughter has Williams. "Although Gloria is 42, she sounds like a 15-year-old, looks like she’s 25 and sings like Beverly Sill. She has tremendous empathy and she knows how you fee. Williams people can sense it. If you’re unhappy, they know it and can cheer you up." Describing a 7 year old child "Fearless Freddie, is very trusting of people — even men he’s never met before."

We call this abnormal, bad — Why? Because we fear for their safety in a land of where people fear love or take advantage of the kind and innocent. It’s funny because I remember as a child walking down the streets smiling and saying hello to people I didn’t know -- especially to the elderly. I thought it was the way to bring a little happiness to the lonely. According to these findings, I probably had a defective chromosome.

Can you imagine that we have gotten to the point where we call friendly, sick? These children don’t understand that there is something to fear. Maybe, they know something that others don’t see or understand — All is God. These children know they are waiving and smiling to God. They see only loving beings. Are these the children of the new age.

From the earliest of our upbringing we are taught by our loving parents that we should run from fear to safety. Yet it is in facing our fears that we discover the truth of who we are, not in our safety zone. When we come face to face with that which we fear -- it is instantly transformed. Then each time we confront a fear we become more secure within our self. Eventually we discover there is nothing to fear but fear itself. And, as Jesus said, "Know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

I once had a friend that every time he had a successful business, he would begin to take his attention away from it. Allowing his business to fold, and lose his house and fancy cars. Then he would start all over again. He told me he loved the challenge, but once realized he got bored. My friend learned that he could always be a success. The power to create was within him -- it was no biggie to start over.

Our fears are messengers sending us signals for us to pay attention -- awaken -- truly see beyond our beliefs, the limiting walls of illusion we have created around us. How do we break out of the illusion of facing danger? Call forth the truth, claim the truth, claim love in the situation — claim God right here, right now even in the midst of the storm — claim God within the robber, the mad man, the abuser. Even when they can’t see the truth for themselves — claim it for them knowing that God within them is being revealed to you.

Eradicate everything you see as evil by sending love, not to change them but to reveal the truth in them. To reveal the love in them. This truth shall then shine back to you. You are the witness, the observer of God in action. The only enemy there ever is, resides in your own consciousness. When we can truthfully know God everywhere present — what else is there to witness, but God.

Right now as we face a possible war — the greatest power is in our ability to claim the truth, open our heart fill it with unconditional, compassionate love, and send love knowing that those leaders involved are love, are spiritual beings, only acting out their distorted perception. The love we send is like Windex to a window — taking away all grime and clearing away the streaks so that one may see clearly.

I recall years ago when I was in 7^th grade at Willow Glen’s Jr. High School. This girl in my school decided I was her mortal enemy. I didn’t understand why. As far as I knew I had done nothing to her. One day during lunch, my girlfriend and I were in the back of the school near the gym area. This other girl pulled out a switch blade knife, quickly her friends created a circle around me. I looked around my girlfriend was gone. All I could do was pray, and voice that I didn’t want to fight. Luckily, my friend quickly returned with help. I spent that year being chased wherever I went by this girl and her friends.

A few years later, I walked into my sewing class to find her sitting at the only table with an empty seat. We talked for the first time. It turned out she thought I was after her boyfriend, because she saw him carrying my books. But, I was never interested in him. It was all for nothing. She even ended up losing all her friends. I felt compassion for her. I became her friend. I learned so much from that experience. My greatest fears, my mortal enemy, was a very lonely, sad, teenage girl that felt rejected.

Running from Safety. What else does this mean? When we get too comfortable life becomes dangerously stuck. When we stay in the same mode of thinking we become small minded. Our mind becomes like a small room a prison with no where to go. We need to be able to take risks on a regular basis. Try something new, do something risky. Try a new hobby go skiing, mountain climbing, bungie jumping, or if not ready to go that far take a different route to work, try a new food, or try that new hair color or style.

Speak out for what you believe in. It may not get you honors, it might even get you egg in your face, but you may also make a difference in the long run. If not for them, for yourself.

Putting yourself out there to be judged, criticized, for fulfilling ones purpose isn’t safety. I am always subject to failure. But what is the basis of failure -- Someone’s judgment, their idea of what it should be.

Was John the Baptist a failure? He lost his head over his preaching. He didn’t say what they wanted to hear, and stepped on many toes. John was driven by his life’s mission to wake up the people to a better way of life.

How about Mary, being with child while yet unwed? She faced ridicule and abandonment from her fiancé Joseph. Then there is Jesus the Christ, who faced torture for that highest and greatest of initiation and demonstration. He had to be willing to go all the way — give all of himself for what he believed in. Jesus had the choice to turn back, but he chose to fulfill his soul’s purpose for the rest of mankind.

Being the president of a nation comes with people trying to kill you, ruin you. There can also be great rewards. But, those worldly rewards shall pass away. Even Jack Kennedy has had his good work and name tarnished. The lasting rewards are in the service we provide, in the spiritual understanding we attain. These no one can take away.

Our ego plays out as our protector. It really believes it is protecting us from everything out there in the three dimensional world. Believing that everything out there is separate from self. Even the ego believes it is separate from God.

The ego is based in lies and illusion. It is anything but safety. The ego is only trying to support its illusion for once its frailty is discovered, its falsehood, it will no longer exist. And, you will no longer be in separation. Face your fears. Take those risks.

From the "Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" Deepak Chopra in the chapter on "the Law of Detachment," writes, the Law of Detachment accelerates the whole process of evolution. When you understand this law, you don’t feel compelled to force solutions. When you force solution on problems, you only create new problems.

But when you put your attention on uncertainty, and you witness the uncertainty while you expectantly wait for the solution to emerge out of the chaos and the confusion, then what emerges is something very fabulous and exciting... Every single problem that you have in your life is the seed of an opportunity for some greater benefit to you and to all those that you come into contact with."

The field of uncertainty — that moment when we don’t have the answers allows for the universe to step in and bring forth that deep desire, that greater idea to unfold. Detachment and uncertainty is one of the most forgotten laws in manifesting our desires. It isn’t until we let go that it comes forth.

In John Randolph Price’s book "The Spiritual Philosophy for the New World," he tells us that we must give up everything, surrender all in order to have all. We must be willing to give up everything in the three dimensional world, in order to move from our humanness to our true spiritual beingness that creates all out of Self.

We must be willing to give up all are old ways in doing business, solving differences and problems. And seek new ways of having relationships, see our families and communities as extensions of our self. You may be considered the odd one in your family, or place of work at first, but eventually they too will understand.

I look forward to a world where all our children can be as Freddie, open, friendly, caring, to everyone everywhere. Someday we will look back in our history books and say "How strange they talked so much of fear -- what is fear?"

Today’s affirmation: "Everywhere I go I meet myself in joy, peace, and truth"