by Rev. Dr. Danny Spears
Unity of Gainesville, Georgia
“Be still, and know that I AM God.”
Psalm 46:10, NRSV
In 1970, the Beatles released “Let it Be,” written by Paul McCartney. Remember these words?
“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
What you may not know, however, is according to Wikipedia, “Mother Mary” in this song was envisioned by Paul as HIS mother Mary, who died from cancer when Paul was 14. Paul said the song was inspired by a dream he had of a visit from his mother. Paul was having a tough time with the Beatles during the recording of their White Album; and Mother Mary came to him in a dream, telling him everything would be all right. Just let it be.
When asked if the song was about Mary the mother of Jesus, Paul graciously said people can interpret the song any way they choose; so, some people do in fact interpret the song biblically. Paul sometimes changed the words to “Brother Malcolm comes to me,” which was a reference to the Beatles assistant, Mal Evans, and not Malcolm X.
I like how Paul thinks. That’s probably one reason I enjoy metaphysical biblical interpretation. For me, it opens the door to so many possible life applications beyond what we might hear in more traditional religious settings.
For example, rather than interpret Psalm 46:10 above as waiting for an external God to bless me, heal me, or otherwise “fix” my life, I capitalize “AM” to remind me of Unity’s teaching that each of us is an expression of God. That is, despite the appearance of outer circumstances, we have what we need to do what is ours’ to do. We just need to access, and then apply that wisdom.
“Let It Be” is my reinterpretation of “Let Go, Let God.” For years I interpreted this phrase as letting go of things I couldn’t control and letting an external God handle it. Or as the joke goes, “Not my circus. Not my clowns.” Now there are folks today for whom that interpretation still works; and that’s fine, too. Many paths — One God.
If we believe, however, that each of us is an expression of God, when we find ourselves in “times of trouble,” as the song says, we aren’t really powerless—even though we might feel that way. Yes, there is a “letting go” component. We stop, and release attachments to specific outcomes or how we think the situation “ought” to be.
We go within through entering the Silence, meditation, journaling, prayer, etc. As we open our hearts and minds, eventually our own “Mother Marys” and “Brother Malcolms” come to us, as well. And the forms they take have no limit. Spirit guides, friends, strangers, family, spiritual community, and that “still, small voice” are just a few examples.
The key, I believe, is to first listen. The message may indeed be a situation which is not ours to handle. Most of the time, however, we do have a part to play, whether that part be prayer, or some other more active participation.
After listening to those “words of wisdom,” then act. We do what is ours to do. And then we release those actions and attachments to specific outcomes to the Universe. For me, that is one way of letting go and letting God.
Let it be.
Rev. Dr. Danny Spears
Peace.