The Practice of Awakening Inner Authority

Howard Thurman taught that each person carries a divine spark within—an Inner Authority that goes deeper than ego, fear, or endless striving. It represents the intersection where our individual story meets God's story for the world.

Thurman said there would always be voices that try to dim your inner light, or tell us who we should be, and how we should live.  The strength that emerges when a person realizes their own agency is their Inner Authority. It allows you to be who God uniquely created you to be and offer your authentic self and unique contributions to a world yearning for healing.

When we connect with and live from our Inner Authority:

  • We tap into a wellspring of inner wisdom that guides our decisions – not those dictated by external pressures or societal expectations.

  • We gain clarity about which invitations require our "yes" and which deserve our "no"

  • We find moral courage to confront injustices and respond authentically to the world’s needs

Thurman taught the path to discovering our Inner Authority begins with:

  • Setting aside time for silence, prayer, meditation, and introspection

  • Connecting with God's divine presence within by listening to the "still small voice" that emerges in quiet moments

Here is a suggested Practice to Awaken Your Inner Authority:

  1. Settle In

    • Light a candle as a symbol of coming alive.

    • Begin with three deep breaths:

      • Inhale: Receive the breath of life.

      • Exhale: Release what dims your light.

    • Feel your body awaken, connecting you with all of God’s creation.

2.      Hold this question in your heart: “Who do you say that I am?”

    • Rest in the silence, allowing the sacred quiet to fill you.

    • When thoughts arise, let them flow by like a gentle stream, and return your focus to your breath.

3.      Reflect:

    • When have I felt most vibrantly myself?

    • What work would bring me fully alive if all constraints were lifted?

    • How does my aliveness connect with the world’s deep needs?

    • What is one thing you wish you could change in your community? What small step you could take toward that change? How might you involve the people you share community with - maybe the people in your small group or Sunday School class?

Prayer – Holy one, who walks alongside the disinherited and speaks through our holy discontent: give me the courage to trust the authority you've placed within me, that I might transform my contemplation into action and seek justice.

Remember - Awakening your inner authority isn’t about finding perfect answers—it’s about discovering where your unique way of coming alive intersects with God’s vision for a healed and whole world. Your inner authority emerges from this sacred meeting point, beyond the voices that once told you to dim your light.

Join us for Come Alive: What the World Needs Now - a worship series February 9 through March 2, 2025 at First Christian Church Edmond.