Mark Sturdevant Mark Sturdevant

Minister’s Musing: Feb 18, 2026 

Today marks the first day of Lent, the beginning of a sacred inward journey. In the Unity tradition, we understand Lent not as a season of deprivation, but as a season of gentle release and conscious realignment. The 40 days symbolize a period of spiritual gestation - a time of preparation, purification, and awakening. Metaphysically, Lent represents the wilderness experience within us: the space where distractions fall away and we come face to face with our thoughts, beliefs, and habits. It is here that we are invited to surrender what no longer serves our spiritual growth and to strengthen our awareness of the indwelling Christ Presence. Rather than focusing on giving something up as sacrifice, we approach Lent as an opportunity to let go of fear, limitation, and false identity. It is a time to fast from negative thinking and feast on Truth. Just as Jesus emerged from the wilderness grounded in divine identity and purpose, we too can use these 40 days to remember who we truly are - expressions of Divine Love, guided and sustained from within. Lent becomes not a somber obligation, but a sacred unfolding. Affirmation: I release what no longer serves me and awaken to the Christ wisdom rising within.   

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Mark Sturdevant Mark Sturdevant

Minister’s Musings, Feb 10, 2026

In Unity, Valentine’s Day is more than romance and roses—it is a celebration of Divine Love as our very nature. Charles Fillmore taught that love is a spiritual power, centered in the heart, that harmonizes, unifies, and heals. This love is not limited to one person or one relationship. It is the Christ presence within us, expressing as compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and self-respect. When we understand love as a divine faculty, we move beyond seeking it from the outside and begin radiating it from within. Valentine’s Day becomes a sacred invitation: to practice loving thoughts, to speak words that bless, to forgive what has hardened the heart, and to honor ourselves as worthy expressions of God. Whether partnered or single, we are called to embody love in action —toward friends, family, community, and even those with whom we disagree. Love is not merely something we fall into; it is something we consciously live. 

Affirmation: Divine Love flows through me, uniting my heart with all creation. 
Love and Light , Rev. Sheryl

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