The world at first was endless space in which existed only the Creator, Taiowa. This world had no time, no shape, and no life, except in the mind of the Creator. –The Four Creations, Hopi
Long, long ago, when heaven and earth were still one, the entire universe was contained in an egg-shaped cloud. All the matter of the universe swirled chaotically in that egg. –Pan Gu and Nü Wa, China
On the day that Yahweh made the heavens and the earth, the land was dry and barren until a mist came up from the earth and wetted the land. Then Yahweh took dust from the earth and shaped it into the form of a man, and he breathed life into that form, and it came to life. –Yahweh, Hebrew
Once upon a time, in our very own galaxy, The Milky Way Galaxy, an
average yellow star was born, amidst a cluster of bright, blue sibling
stars. –Startull: The Story of an Average Yellow Star, Connie Barlow
Come with me to the wee hours of January 15, 1929. You are a fly on the wall as the new baby is put in the arms of his mother. You listen carefully as Alberta whispers blessings to her child, Martin.* “You are a child of the Universe, Martin, a blessing from God. Welcome to this family full of love. You will be strong and wise and bold. May you live into the possibilities God opens up for you … may you answer God’s call with strength and joy.”
Now take your own journey to the birth of a most precious child: your birth. Listen as the mother offers her blessings for your life. Perhaps she whispered to you, “You are a child of the Universe. May you live into the possibilities God opens up for you … may you answer God’s call with strength and joy.” What blessing would you most have wanted to hear from your mother?
As we take this day for reflection on the life of a great leader, it is good to remember that Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged from the same cosmic cloud that birthed all of life. Iconic leaders can inspire us, but leave us feeling insignificant in their shadow. Martin could not lead without others to share that role with him. He could not lead if no one followed. We all hold the capacity to effect change in ways small and large.
We are all born out of the great void that is Source … all born out of the swirling void, the endless space, the dust of stars. Every moment a star is born. Let your light shine as leader, follower, lover of life in whatever way opens up for you. Your presence in the lives of those around you makes a difference.
For each child that’s born a morning star rises and sings to the Universe who we are. –Ysaye Barnwell
Jan Taddeo
Creation Stories from Around the World: http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CS/CSIndex.html
The Great Story Parables: http://www.thegreatstory.com
*Martin Luther King, Jr. was born Michael King, Jr. His father changed his name and his son’s name in 1934 in honor of the great German reformer, Martin Luther.
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The Words of Wisdom? is a publication of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett.
