Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said, “Hope is the expectation of good in the future…it is subject to time. Faith is the certain knowledge that our good is ours right now…it goes beyond time and space.”
Hope lifts us out of darkness and is our “mustard seed” for Faith. Hope plants the seed and is the catalyst, and Faith is our Power to spiritually know; to trust absolutely; to believe with confidence and conviction. Jesus says in Matthew 9:29: “According to your faith let it be done to you.” Faith enables us to look past appearances of lack, limitation or difficulty.
This Sunday begins the first week of Advent, in which we spiritually prepare for the birth of the Christ at Christmas. For us in Unity, the birth of Christ refers to a consciousness of our oneness with God and all of creation. Advent is a journey we can each take to ready ourselves for this awakening. And the journey begins with Hope and Faith.
We can actively engage faith for it is one of our 12 spiritual powers. In Unity, we teach that faith increases as we evolve in a spiral from hope, to blind faith, to an understanding faith, developing our faith in greater degrees. Faith is our Yes Power.
Most people live their lives, for the most part, in hope or blind faith. For a moment, consider yourself. You begin in hope. And if, for some reason, something is going on in your life where you cannot activate your faith, then begin with hope, because that is the start. And it is that belief—that trust—that somehow, some way, things are going to get better. Things are going to be okay.
I believe that life is a walk of faith…a faith journey, and part of the challenge is to hold to your faith even in the midst of doubt and fear. You learn to say no to doubt and fear and yes to faith and trust!
Blind faith is different than hope. It is an instinctive trust in a higher power. You pray to God, “Dear God, help me!” Somehow you have a level of trust even if you know nothing about spiritual principle. And blind faith can work.
Understanding faith, however, is based on immutable principle—the knowledge that God is absolute good and that God’s Will for you is absolute good. There is a knowing that God is not a punishing God, but a God of love, who wants the very best for you. An understanding faith knows that God wants your health and wholeness, your prosperity and abundance. And it knows that the desires of your heart are God’s Will and Good for you “tapping at the door of your consciousness.”
You engage your faith, knowing that the true spiritual desires of your heart will be fulfilled as you affirm and pray and know that they are going to manifest. And you apply the law by your thoughts, your words, and by your actions. You think it, you speak it, and you act as if…then it will be done. That is understanding faith, saying yes to your Good, and applying principle.
This Advent Season may you call forth hope and your spiritual power of faith, and may it help you to say YES to not only a season but a lifetime of greater good!
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Kathy