I feel I have finally found my calling. Since childhood, I have been pulled to follow a path. That path was something that I was unsure of. I struggled against it throughout my adolescent years, and most of my early adult life. There were times when the path was illuminated more than others, and I would find myself walking on it, then somehow an obstacle would happen and block my way.
I have always been able to sense the presence of spirits. Many of those spirits tried to guide me on that path. I have come to learn the spirits were angelic in nature and were leading me to hear the voice of God. At a young age I was introduced to Christianity. I had always looked up to the leaders in the Church for guidance, but found none. I had told them of the spiritual guides that would talk to me for hours - and the elders of the Church tried to convince me they were demonic. Why? Because I was female, and God would not make a prophet that was female. I told them I felt my calling - I was told no, that I could never minister Gods word, it wasn't meant for a female to take that role. I could teach sunday school to children and women, but never could I be a minister.
Because of that, my path took a new direction. I began exploring many other faiths. For a time I embraced Wicca and Paganism, but there I also felt that it wasn't quite what I was being led to. I began exploring Interfaith ministries, and found much truth to a lot of it. The more I explored, the more the angelic spirits guided me, and the more other spirits tried to remove me from my path.
I can say it has been an uphill battle, but I have finally found my calling. It came within a revelation. I had been told by the spirits that the path I sought is Spiritul Eumaneism. At first I thought they were telling spirituality and humanism - but humanism simply was not what I was being led to. So what was "eumaneism". I could not figure it out. I could not find any information on it at all. For as long as I could remember, the spirits had called me "Aeryn". It's not a name, but a title. I had no clue what that meant either. In a conversation with my mother - she suggested that I learn what the names mean. So I began exploring the etymology of the words.
"Aeryn" is derived from the latin word and suffix "Aery" and "ryn". "Aery" meaning "on high" and "ryn" meaning to "call out" or "wind from the throat" as in larynx, and pharynx. Together it simply means to call out from on high. I take that to mean to speak with Gods voice, to give Gods message. Eumaneism is also derived from latin. "Eu" meaning "good", as in the words "eulogy" and "eucharist, "mane" represents a way of mankind as in "humane", and the suffix "ism" means "to be" as in "organism". So in this context "Eumaneism" (pronounced U-mane-ism) is the good way of mankind.
This is my calling. This is my way, the path I had been led to, the path I will help to show others. I have no animosity towards those of other faiths. Christians, Pagans, and all religious people are inherently good, and as the slogan for ULC says, we are all children of the same Universe. I will help others find their own paths to follow - this is the task God sets before me. I now know my calling, and could not be happier.
I was also given a vision. I was the leader of a ministry called Light of Hope. It was a beautiful, peaceful vision. I intend to see that vision to fruition, as God lights my path before me. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I feel truly thankful as I have been giving a wonderful gift of Hope that I hope to share with many.
Blessings and blessed be
Rev Jeff