O Son of Man! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face. (Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, Arabic 40)
I love this Hidden Word, even more so when I hear it sung.
There are many ways we “speed through the immensity of space, finding no rest”. Many people use addictions to escape their problems. I use work and activity addiction and frequent moves from one location to another, always looking for the grass to be greener in a new location. I’ve also spent time with numerous alternative health practitioners, looking for a cure for what ails me, before first turning to the Divine Physician. I have spent my life in self-will, thinking I was aligned with God’s will and failing miserably, repeatedly.
It took a health crisis and major burnout to bring me to my knees and admit that my way, my will, wasn’t working. I had to let go completely, of everything I thought about the way my life and service to the Faith should be. I had to greatly slow down and simplify my life, in a world that values speed, multi-tasking and materialism. I had to stop doing the things I was attached to, till I could sort out my motives to see what was feeding my disease of compulsive caretaking, approval seeking and people-pleasing. I had to remember that God is my employer, not me or the people who sign my paycheques. Only when I humbled myself before God, minute by minute, was a given a reprieve and could finally rest, trusting life His way.
Letting go and letting God direct my movement and my stillness, my service and my play, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read through today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Strengthening Your Relationship with God
Thank you Susan for this beautiful post. I love the video. And your comments are right on for me today. I am in Belize taking a 3-month spiritual sabbatical for that very reason! I’m pausing prayerfully to discern how God wants to shape the next chapter of my life. Your post is Very confirming.
Ya Baha’u’l-Abha! I love how God works through me, Nancy and I really love when I get to see when and how! Thanks for letting me know. I’m thrilled to hear of your sabbatical in Belize and praying for God to point you in the right direction (and me too!) Also, I LOVE your new name!
What jumped out to me is my getting in the way of trusting God…..feeling not worthy of assistance when other people are in more need then myself! Your story reminded me that if I trusted God I would trust that God would decide my worth. Thanks
I get it Nancy! I fall into that trap too, myself, sometimes. I’m reminded of all the prayers that start with “O God, my God!” “My” God is closer to me than my life-vein and so is yours. He’s the Omnipotent. He’s able to answer everyone’s prayers at the same time! Answering your prayer doesn’t lessen the chance that my prayers will be answered, because your God is just as powerful and just as close to you as mine! Aren’t we blessed!