(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column titled “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal religious perspective in this space. For information on becoming part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. ANDREA KRAWCZYK
Minister, The National Spiritual
Alliance
Truth. It is a term we are all familiar with. But — What is it? Why does it exist? What does it do? How do you find it?
In our church, The National Spiritual Alliance, we live by seven principles. Our fifth principle, is “Pursuit of Truth,” and it says, “Truth is eternal. We seek truth within ourselves, from other souls, sacred writings, and the natural order which sustains us.”
So the first thing we see is that Truth is eternal. It lives on forever.
But what does that really mean? I know what that means to me and that is — we choose to live in either love or fear. That becomes our Truth and most of us live our lives searching for the ultimate truth and that is living in Divine love. We all know that love and fear are not stagnant, since we as beings are everchanging and it is through our individual spiritual paths that we learn the Truth. Sometimes we live in fear and sometimes we live in love. The choice is ours.
And that brings us to, “We seek truth within ourselves.” I don’t think it is a mistake that this comes before seeking truth from other souls, sacred writings, and the natural order which sustains us. I believe that it is in ourselves where the Truth lies but we receive insight and knowledge from these sources. It is learning about who we are and coming to terms with what we learn in an honest and open manner. Not an easy thing for most us — in fact, it is one of the most difficult things for us to do.
If, in our seeking for the Divine Light, we choose a path where we find ourselves walking predominantly in love, honesty, tolerance and kindness, then we are where we are supposed to be. It doesn’t matter what that path is, whether it be Christianity, Judaism or Islam or any other formal religion.
The truth is — that most religions have their basis in love and that is the essence, meaning and purpose of life.
About the National Spiritual Alliance
The National Spiritual Alliance has been serving spiritual needs since 1913. We are an alliance of churches, missions, schools, ministers and members, all gathered under the umbrella of the religion, philosophy and science of Spiritualism. We welcome ALL who seek spiritual understanding regardless of current or prior faith tradition, or lack thereof. Come join us at our services on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We are located at 2 Montague Avenue, Lake Pleasant, in Montague. Our website is www.spiritualallianceusa.org and like us on Facebook. Contact us at contact@spiritualallianceusa.org or 413-367-1038.