Rev. Elizabeth Rowley,
Spiritual Director
December 14, 2018
Do you begin your day with conviction? Are you convinced that you were made in the image and likeness of God, and that it resides at the very center of your being? The Kingdom of God is within you. It is your essence, your life. It’s up to you to convince yourself that there is an eternal wellspring of good pouring forth into your life experience, and there’s plenty to go around.
The dictionary defines the word conviction as a firmly held belief or opinion. To have spiritual conviction is to have a firm belief in the God of your understanding. I personally believe in a loving, inclusive, beneficent God, permeating everything.
Having a strong spiritual conviction fills my heart with joy and confidence. Moving through my day, knowing that the Universe is conspiring for my highest and best good reminds me of how I felt on Christmas eve as a child. I couldn’t wait to open presents the next day and to witness others opening theirs. I was anticipating my good, wrapped up with a nice big bow, waiting for me patiently, under a mighty and magnificent tree.
What would it be like to move through your day anticipating your good? The gifts of God don’t always come wrapped in pretty paper with an extraordinary bow on top. The eternal gifts of love, connection, generosity, joy, forgiveness, prosperity, and more, are always available. You don’t have to order them in advance to be sure they arrive on time, as they are always right here within you.
Conviction is also defined as the state of being convinced. If you find yourself being more convinced by thoughts of fear than those of goodness, you’re not alone. Practice consciously seeking the good news, the good word, the uplifting, heartwarming stories of love and the goodness of humankind and you'll find more of the same. You always get what you’re looking for; what you’re paying attention to or focusing upon. I’m convinced this is true, as I have proven it in my own life.
You strengthen your spiritual conviction every time you choose the Kingdom of Heaven. When you shift your focus from fear to love, choose conviction over doubt, focus on joy over
anger, place your attention on forgiveness instead of resentment, you become stronger in your faith and conviction.
Now you’re moving through the world with spiritual conviction and you’re unstoppable. You know. And you know that you know. If you have experienced even a small glimpse of the
Kingdom of Heaven, contemplate that experience and what it was like as often as possible. This will expand its presence in your life and you’ll begin to see a whole new world open for
you.
You can practice using conviction to manifest something in your life which you would absolutely love. Know that it is so; and know that you know. Be convinced that it will be revealed to you, and it must!
And so it is.
