Not Power, But Grace

Embracing God's Grace: Takeaways from Joel S. Goldsmith's Talk "Not Power - But Grace"

In Joel S. Goldsmith's powerful talk, "Not Power - But Grace," from the 1959 Maui Advanced Work, he dives into some big ideas about God and how we see ourselves. He challenges us to rethink what prayer, grace, and spiritual connection mean, and how to live with a deeper sense of faith. Let's break down the highlights from this inspiring session.

The Heart of Grace (It’s Not About Power)

1. God’s Always Around and Overflowing: Joel reminds us that God isn’t sitting somewhere deciding who gets what. Instead, God’s grace is always flowing—think of it like a never-ending river of love and abundance. Everything around us—like the oceans and flowers—is proof of this beautiful, effortless grace.

2. Prayer Isn’t About Persuading God: One of the key ideas Joel shares is that asking God for specific things in prayer doesn’t really work. Why? Because God isn’t something we can influence or “convince.” Instead, prayer and meditation are about letting go and realizing that God’s grace is already here, doing its thing.

3. God = Love: Forget the idea of a moody, judgmental God. Joel says God is all about love and life itself. When we get this, it changes how we connect with the divine—it’s less about asking for stuff and more about trusting in God’s love and constant care.

4. Our Role in Grace: Here’s the deal: we have a part to play too. It’s not about earning anything but letting go of the idea that we need to ask for favors. When we do that, we open ourselves up to experience the full power of God’s grace. Think of yourself as a receiver—it’s all about tuning in to what’s already there.

Making Grace Part of Your Everyday Life

If you’re walking The Infinite Way path, bringing these teachings into your daily life can help you feel more connected to that ever-present divine grace. Here’s how to get started:

• Let Go of Expectations: Spend time in meditation or quiet reflection where you consciously stop expecting God to “fix” things for you. Instead, remind yourself that God’s goodness is already here, giving you everything you need.

• Notice God Everywhere: Throughout your day, pause to see God’s presence all around you. Whether it’s the sunrise, a breeze, or the ocean tides, these moments are reminders of God’s endless grace.

• Shift Your Thinking: Trade thoughts of scarcity for thoughts of abundance. Repeat affirmations like, “God’s grace is enough for me, always.” It’s a simple way to focus on the good that’s already a part of your life.

• Quiet Time with God: Set aside some time in your day to just sit in stillness and connect with God, without asking for anything. Let it be about feeling God’s love and knowing that grace is always working, even if you don’t see it.

• Reflect Each Day: At the end of your day, think about moments when you may have tried to control or push things—whether with God or others. Let those moments go and remind yourself that God’s grace is already taking care of it all.

At its core, Joel’s message in "Not Power - But Grace" invites us to see God differently—not as a force we have to call upon, but as the ever-present essence of love and abundance in our lives. When we really take this on and live it, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and flow, trusting that everything is unfolding as it should.

So, what’s stopping you? Let’s lean into God’s grace—not as a power to be tapped, but as the very heart of who we are.