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The Jesus Path
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Accepting Others' Choices
All choices are valid because they have occurred. Human beings see valid as meaning legitimate choices that should be acceptable to others. The
divine does not view valid choices in the same way. If the potential for a choice to occur exists, then the choice is valid. So valid is not a value judgment on the
worth of the choice, but instead it's a statement of truth that the choice was valid because it held possibility in occurring. It's a non-judgmental way of looking
at choices.
So how can you accept others when their valid choices seem to lack integrity? You can recognize that at the moment a choice is made, many valid
options exist. You can accept that in that moment, a choice was made. You can accept that every human being creates their own reality. You can accept that God will
continue to guide all human beings in every moment. See the power and potential of God dwelling within all people. Pray for the light of peace to shine forth from
others, illuminating their way. Accept that this light of God heals and restores all hearts in every moment. God is here and all is well. |
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Love, acceptance, and compassion--these are the hallmarks of the Jesus path.
Whether you consider yourself a religious follower or a spiritual seeker, the teachings of Jesus offer rich ideas for living a life of integrity and peace with
others. To me, Jesus' teachings expand beyond the walls of the sanctuary, encompassing all that is necessary in living a deep spiritual life--love, acceptance, and compassion.
Love
Jesus laid his path using the stepping stones of love. When asked to describe the most important commandment, Jesus told his followers that you should love God with
all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The heart guides your actions, the soul gives meaning to your journey, the mind seeks truth, and strength is the pure emotional power
that drives your life.
When love is the dominating intention behind all of your actions, you allow the guiding force of God to be seen through you. Love becomes your well of inspiration,
making it possible to reflect this inner peace upon every person, every action, and every experience.
Acceptance
From this bedrock of love, Jesus demonstrated how to accept others just as they are. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus tells others that God never abandons his
children. Despite their poor choices, God always stands in ready anticipation to embrace his beloved sons and daughters.
Acceptance has many meanings, including belief, willingness, and affirmation. Jesus believed in the power of humanity to do all that he did and greater still. He was
willing to look below the surface to see the light of God dwelling in all he met. And most of all, he affirmed the God-given life force in all things.
Compassion
When Jesus entered a crowd filled with people inflicted with poverty of the mind, body, and soul, he held compassion for them. Compassion is the ability to see the
plight of others as similar to your own difficulties in life. Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and compassion gave Jesus the ability to draw near people from all walks
of life. When you react with compassion, you are putting God's love into a tangible form in the world. You become the gentle words, the embrace of God for another person.
You become like Jesus--one who can walk among all people as a human being on the same path of life's journey.
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