A Foundation of Love

As the world around us thaws after a long winter, we are reminded of the Power of Love and its ability to thaw hate and fear. In the Unity tradition, we recognize twelve powers (or attributes) of God present within every person. During April, we focus specifically on the Power of Love. While all twelve powers serve an essential purpose in our spiritual evolution, Love is arguably the most foundational.

Think of the Power of Love as a universal solvent. In chemistry, a solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute. In our spiritual lives, fear and hate are the "solids" that gunk up our hearts and block our progress. Logic cannot dissolve fear. Arguments rarely dissolve hate. Only the Power of Love can break those structures down and transform them back into the light of pure potential.

Loving God’s people is how we strengthen our relationship with the Divine. We cannot claim a deep relationship with the Creator while remaining closed-hearted toward our neighbors. To love is to recognize the inherent Divinity in another person. When we choose to love, we are actively clearing a path in our hearts for God’s presence to flow more freely through us.

If Jesus had one singular message, it was Love: love everyone, love often, and love easily. He instructed us to:

• Love God: "He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'" -Matthew 22:37
• Love your neighbor: "And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" -Matthew 22:39
• Love yourself: (Implicit in the Great Commandment) "...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." -Mark 12:31
• Love your enemies: "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -Matthew 5:44
• Abide in Love: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." -John 15:9

Jesus commands us to love as he did: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another" (John 13:34).

Are we doing that? Are you loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul? Are you loving yourself? Are you loving your neighbor, and even your enemies? Are you truly abiding within a state of Love?

As we celebrate this month dedicated to the Power of Love, I invite you to look at the state of your current projects or struggles.

• Are you building upon a foundation of love, or a foundation of "should"?
• What would change if you brought the Power of Love to that one difficult situation before trying to "fix" it?

As you move through the rest of this month, remember: Love is not a sentiment we wait to feel, but instead a Power we can choose to use for good.