by Rev. Marla Sanderson
“Here is a test to find out whether your mission on earth is finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t.” —Richard Bach, Illusions
What if somebody asks you to do a job, but won’t tell you what it is?
Suppose a great reward or punishment hinged on doing the job properly, and that person still won’t tell you what it is. That doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?
Now, suppose GOD asks you to do a job, but won’t tell you what it is?
Does it suddenly make sense? Of course not.
When I first discovered my “spiritual wings”, I spent a few years preoccupied with the idea that there was something I was supposed to do—or (maybe) be.
Part of me worried that I might live my whole life and never achieve whatever it is. Would my life be wasted? Invalidated? An anxious feeling took up residence in the back of my mind and it was never quite satisfied.
What was it? What could IT be? That big “IT” that eluded me? Was I really inadequate, or was my true purpose yet to be revealed? A burning bush might have pointed me in the right direction. Even a letter in the mail would have been nice, but life is rarely that neat and tidy, is it?
While I wondered, I also struggled with a peculiar mental and social paralysis. It wasn’t physical, but I wasn’t able to move forward. I had trouble initiating something—or finishing anything. I left projects half done for weeks or months at a time and felt guilty and embarrassed about it.
I couldn’t pick up the phone to enroll someone in our next workshop, even when I knew they’d benefit greatly and thank me later.
I even took a favorite gold earring to a jeweler to be duplicated because I’d lost its mate, but I couldn’t bring myself to go back to see if it was ready. For all I know, it may still be there.
Why had I become immobilized? I didn’t know. It wasn’t clear to me at the time that it had any connection to the elusive destiny I felt obliged to fulfill. “What should I do?” I asked my inner guides over and over.
One day, an answer came through my dearest friend as we were meditating. It was a message for both of us.
So simple I could hardly accept it was the answer I’d been looking for. The answer was simply this: “BE LOVE.”
Be Love. Is that it? Just that? No mountains to move, no souls to save? I didn’t need to heal the earth or bring about world peace?
I didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed, but the message was clear. “You are perfect, just as you are. Be Love.” I felt a deep sense of peace as I digested the truth—that God’s in Its heaven and all’s right with the world. My part is to shine the light of Love wherever I go.
Love—to live without judgment or fear; to hold no grudges or find no fault; to see the good in everything and everyone. My “mission” is to wish only the best for everyone, including myself.
Definitely simple—though not always easy.
My friend had a gold charm made for me to wear on a chain around my neck. It’s a mirror image of the words “Be Love.” Later I had one made for him. We both still wear them every day as a reminder of our true purpose.
Gradually I noticed I operated confidently and more effectively. Life was easier, and definitely more fun. I no longer carried the weight of guilt for an entire population.
Do I always succeed in “Being Love?” No. Do I meet people I don’t care to be around much? Yes. Do I express myself in sugar-coated words and actions? No. I’m me. I’m Love. So are you. And knowing that is my purpose.
I probably won’t make the history books, but I do my best to recognize that Love in everyone, and it feels pretty darn good to have that as my life purpose.
Rev. Marla Sanderson has been a student of spiritual practice for more than 35 years. She began as Assistant Director of The Next Step, a psychic and spiritual community in a New Mexico ghost town. She’s been a workshop leader, teacher, practitioner, and minister of Living Love, and the Science of Mind. She recently founded the New Thought Global Network, a virtual “church” that offers inspiration anytime, from anywhere. The site showcases many powerful Science of Mind and New Thought speakers and writers, and intends to expand these teachings to the world. Check it out at www.newthoughtglobal.org.
