Let Spirit Move You
This could be a chicken and egg story--which came first, the acts of service or the spiritual growth?  I will speak mostly from personal experience this morning.  Early in my time as a Unitarian Universalist, I learned that experience is a superior teacher to learning that takes place through thinking or feeling.
I will address three aspects of my spiritual journey.  First, changes in me as I have grown; and these include:  knowing myself, what I  believe, how I serve, and listening to spirit.  Second, I will tell of some of the teachers I've been blessed to have in my life. And last I'll share some of the still unanswered questions that keep me coming back and maintain a willingness to keep  learning.
What I share today is not about great deeds, but perhaps, small deeds that changed another's day.  I have long believed that I am best in one-on-one situations.  Simple acts of kindness, seeing the other, maybe simply sharing an observation or giving a compliment--these are very often spontaneous.  Before I married, Mike and I attended Engaged Encounter.  It was at this retreat that I said I wished to change my little corner of the world.  I don't know that I ever had lofty goals, but this statement tells me I had hope and the belief in myself that I could make things better.
My spiritual growth or expansion probably started with new vocabulary:  spirit, universe, goddess, higher power--these all altered my belief system.  I remember the first time I heard: "We are spiritual beings having a human experience", it opened my mind.
I'll share some examples of how I have experienced spirit that were foreign to me at the time.  This first example surprised, but did not frighten me.  I was alone outdoors, when I heard my name called twice.  I stopped what I was doing and looked around.  I saw no one, only a bird on a wire.  Later when I shared this with a friend, who was a great teacher to me, she said simply: "Its just the universe trying to get your attention."  If I didn't have Jacquie in my life, I might not have told anyone, may have dismissed it and completely forgotten that this had occurred.  Instead, I believed this to be real, believed that there is guidance available to me and that I must only ask and pay attention.  As an aside, I have only heard an audible message one other time.
The increasing awareness of my own intuition, I see as spiritual growth.  Sometimes, ideas that come to mind or those "gut feelings", I believe, are from spirit.  On one occassion, the thought of a trip I had planned to take, gave me a physical ache in the solar plexus or "gut".  This same feeling came on every time I thought of this trip and I believed it was my intuition.  I did cancel the trip knowing that I had to trust the message.  Who knows what might have happenned had I taken the trip?  Not I.  I always do pay attention to a strong sensation in that part of my belly.
I will share some examples that are not my experiences, but I believe demonstrate spiritual connections.  I know others who see auras around people in the form of colors.  I no longer am envious of other's spiritual experiences.  I believe and am grateful to have the conversation.  I know people who have posed a question before going to sleep  and in the morning, they have an answer.  Clarity arrived at in Quaker meetings and meditation for those who practice it regularly are two more examples.
A big part of my spiritual growth related to service is that I see my abilities as gifts from my creator.  The words or deeds have been inspired by a source outside myself.  I have utterred:  "Where did that come from?" when words or  a thought popped into my head.  I have simply chosen to listen and follow through even if sharing it seemed risky.
One more example of being led is small to me, but perhaps wasn't to the recipient.  At a Christmas party I had won a raffle prize--a pair of earrings.  I had already won another prize and the earrings were not my style.  An idea came to me that I could give the earrings to the man standing next to me.  I don't know John very well but he's very friendly and a good man.  What he said to me after he accepted the gift, made me know that I did the right thing.  John thanked me and told me he would give the earrings to his wife.  He shared that he hadn't been very nice to her lately.
Thinking of spirit/God as a source of guidance and having the trust that my creator knows better than I, what I need, eases decision making.  I will often make the decision and live with it for a couple days.  It either feels OK or I get that ache in my gut that tells me its not the right decision.  I do, however, factor in:  what have I got to give?, how able I am, am I physically exhausted?, or am I running on empty?; and perhaps need to take care of myself, fill the well.  Doing too much is an old habit.
As a young nurse, I often did for my patients more than I should have, out of kindness, I thought.  I did not realize that I needed, as well as enjoyed the praise for kindness given.  Later, I learned that I needed to be needed.  And it was then that I came to see that one of my motives for giving so much, was the praise.  As I matured and began to know myself, I learned that I didn't need to be perfect, and that I had to give as much to myself as to others.  Now, I can give from a place of abundance and wholeness.  Seeing myself as human and flawed, I began doing the best that I could at the time.  And that is good enough.  I don't need to give until I have no more to give or become ill.
Doubt as to what I need to do, serves me when I remember to acknowledge that I don't have the answer.  Many times admitting that I don't know what to say, is followed by something helpful coming to mind.  Again, where did that come from?  Going back to experience, when I share my own, I am being honest.  I don't pretend to know what another needs.  I believe these admissions open me up to spiritual guidance.
Another teacher I want to mention, is a friend who responds to being asked, "How are you?" with "I'm blessed" every single time.  Its a great reminder to me that I too, am blessed.  And then there's my spouse who reminds me often that "Faith without works is dead in the water."  I cannot just believe and have kind thoughts; I have to get my hands dirty and my feet wet.
Embracing our interconnectedness to persons and our environment brings me to know I must share, conserve and give.  But what do I give?  And now, those unanswered questions:  Am I doing enough?, Should I get involved?, Did this person ask for help?  Of course, I don't always do enough or do the right thing.  That is how experience teaches us.  I have learned more about what's important to me from what I have neglected to do than what I've  done.  However, I have also learned much about myself when I acted in a manner not in line with my values.  Not easy lessons.  A favorite quote of mine helps ease the angst of this.  It is Kierkegaard:  "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."
Knowing myslf and in what areas I have skills or gifts, helps to know how I may serve.  I believe being authentic no matter the setting, means I don't filter or question my intuition.  Practice in listening to those gut feelings strengthens that ability.  And I believe my talents are God-given which helps me to be humble.
I hope I'll always keep asking those questions that keep me growing.  I have been blessed to have more than I need and so I must serve.