Toinyette's Journey

A quiet reflection on calling, truth, and the inner ordination of the soul.

Years ago, maybe around 2018, I saw a post on LinkedIn from a coworker announcing that she had been ordained as a minister through the Universal Life Church. I remember reading it and thinking, “Oh my goodness… I’m going to do the same thing.”

So, I did.

Technically speaking, according to the Universal Life Church, I am ordained. Minister Toinyette. Every now and then I say it out loud and laugh a little to myself. Never in my life did I imagine that the daughter of a Church of Christ minister would casually refer to herself that way.

But life has a way of unfolding in unexpected directions.

At the time, it felt almost playful, something spontaneous and lighthearted. Yet over the years I have come to see that the moment carried a deeper meaning. The ordination did not give me permission to speak about spiritual truth. It simply reminded me of something I was already beginning to understand:

The call to truth does not come from institutions.
It comes from the spirit within.

The Universal Life Church is known for being inclusive of many beliefs and traditions. Personally, my own views tend to lean more conservative in certain areas of life. Yet spiritually, I have come to believe something very simple: it is not my role to judge the beliefs, lifestyles, or paths of others.

Truth does not need to be forced.

When I read the Gospels, I notice that Jesus did not spend His time fighting governments or dismantling social systems. He simply spoke truth. He shared it openly with those who were willing to listen.

Those who were receptive drew near.
Those who were threatened pushed back.

The resistance itself often revealed that something profound was being spoken.

Over time I realized that the real work of spiritual life is not arguing with the world. The real work is remembering our origin, returning inward to the divine presence that lives within every soul.

Some traditions call this the Spirit.
Some call it the Divine Spark.
Some call it the Christ within.

I have come to know it simply as the presence of the Most High—the Great Invisible Spirit.

And so, I smile when I remember that moment years ago when I clicked a button and became “ordained.” Because the truth is, the ordination did not create anything new.

It only acknowledged something that was already unfolding.

The quiet recognition that every soul carries within it a living connection to the Source of all life.

My role is not to convince anyone.
My role is not to judge anyone.

My role is simply to share what I have come to see and allow those who feel the same pull to recognize it within themselves.

And perhaps that is the only ordination that truly matters.

– Toinyette

A Closing Prayer

Most High, Great Invisible Spirit,
Source of all life and breath,

Thank You for the quiet ways You awaken the soul.
Thank You for the gentle reminders that Your presence lives within us.

Guide us inward when the world grows loud.
Teach us to walk in truth with humility, compassion, and courage.
May we never feel the need to judge or condemn,
but instead live as reflections of Your love and wisdom.

Help us remember who we are—
beings created from Your light,
carrying Your spirit within.

And as we walk our individual paths,
may we move closer and closer to union with You.

Amen.