Rev. Vicky's Message February 12, 2026

I met with a friend the other day who is going through a lot of personal stuff – grieving, family conflicts, financial challenges and upheaval in their living situation (not to mention all that’s going on in the world). And while they are a person of deep faith, they are also, understandably, struggling with the unanswerable “whys” around all this – including “why” the loving God they know would allow all this to happen…(even as they know God isn’t responsible for any of it). I think we can all relate.

We began to explore how our teachings fit into all of this. For example, how to believe, “God is Good ALL the Time” – even when our life is seemingly collapsing around us. Or why we would/should “surrender” to what is seemingly hurtful and unfair. 

I thought some of the insights I got through this discussion were worthy of sharing with all of you…most specifically around this whole idea of “surrendering” – both what it means and what it doesn’t, individually and collectively. (I got my friends permission.)

First – when faced with any situation – we’re called to “accept what is.” But to be clear, acceptance does NOT mean we have to like it, are satisfied with it, resigned to it, or are taking a passive attitude towards “what is.”  Rather, “acceptance,” as I am using it here, means: “seeing things as they actually are in this present.”  Which involves letting go of how we think things “ought to be” or how we “wish they were.” 

Second – and this is central – we understand that God did not create our circumstances and cannot change them for us. As I have shared before, God is LOVE, and while love is the most powerful force in the universe – it is Power Under, not Power Over. Meaning, while love can heal and transform any and all situations and people – it can never be asserted or established against our will – we must be willing channels. 

At the same time, however, we understand that God/Love is ALWAYS present and ALWAYS with us – through everything – whether we acknowledge it or not. God/Love never forsakes us; in fact it is our true nature, just waiting to be received and expressed. And, when we trust/know God is with us always, we can surrender/share our load (meaning, we don’t have to go it alone) – as we open our hearts and minds to Divine Guidance. 

Third, “surrendering to God’s Will” does NOT mean we are surrendering to the current worldly circumstances, or that the current circumstance are God’s will. When Jesus asked, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done” – and then was crucified – it did not mean it was God’s will that Jesus be crucified (though sadly, that’s often how it has been taught). 

God’s will for Jesus was that he stay true to his divine nature of love, and not succumb to his human fear and the duality and separation that fear always creates. And, that is God’s will for us as well. 

God’s will is ALWAYS for GOOD. God’s will for us is always for our highest good. Not necessarily what WE think would be our highest good, but what will most effectively reveal, heal, and call us into our true divine nature. And, Divine Intelligence knows that our highest good always comes through choosing to BE LOVE. 

I found these insights and reminders helpful as I struggle with today’s world and seek what is mine to do. As Martin Luther King Jr., once said:

"Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love."

So, we are called to witness all that is happening in our world – and strive to respond from our highest and best nature – LOVE. Just as Jesus, Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, Martin Luther King Jr., Valarie Kaur, and other transformative leaders have. This is how we join the ever-expanding, ever-unfolding, upward progressive movement of life. 

Blessings, Rev. Vicky