If you did not get a chance to read part I and part II of this theme, the links are:
http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-i_28.html
http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/04/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-ii.html
How do we keep our faith strong and healthy? Read more…
Devotion
That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him may be demonstrated unto men. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 75) |
My sorrows are for those who have involved themselves in their corrupt passions, and claim to be associated with the Faith of God, the Gracious, the All-Praised. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 100) |
Deeper Learning
How do we keep our faith strong and healthy? It has to do a
lot with maintaining a relationship with God, and as you get closer to the
Divine Presence the stronger the faith becomes. Focus and balance are two key
elements. Think of a tightrope walker at a circus. He walks on a tensioned wire
between two points. Using a balancing tool or freehand, he must maintain his
body balance or else he could fall and get hurt. Without a safety net, the risk
becomes even higher. One is allowed to perform in front of an audience only
after exhibiting balance, strength and skill. Reaching the right level of excellence
is only possible after many hours of practice. Confidence comes with discipline
and perseverance. To acquire a high degree of faith, the skill of focus in
one’s relationship with God is essential. Maintaining a balanced life is always
a challenge as this material existence is filled with distractions that can
lead one to barter God’s bounty for the benefits of this world.
Once a man was interested in the Baha’i Faith. To get a
second opinion on this newly found religion, he approached a priest to whom he
offered a few books on the Faith to read. The priest refused. The man was
disturbed by his reaction. He really wanted to get an opinion from someone he
trusted. When pressed for an answer from the one whom he had known and trusted
for many decades, the clergyman said, “What if this religion is true? Son,
being a priest is all I have known for most of my life. Changing religions
means losing everything that I have—a profession. I am too old to start all
over again.”
In 1899, it is reported that Abdu’l-Baha gave a commandment
to the first western pilgrim as part of His parting address. He said:
“As ye have faith so shall your
powers and blessings be. This is the balance -- this is the balance -- this is
the balance.” (Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 4, p. 217)
If we do manage to hang on to our faith, the promise of
God’s bounty is unimaginably wonderful according to Abdu'l-Baha. He said:
“Your Lord hath assuredly promised
His servants who are firm and steadfast to render them victorious at all times,
to exalt their word, propagate their power, diffuse their lights, strengthen
their hearts, elevate their banners, assist their hosts, brighten their stars,
increase the abundance of the showers of mercy upon them, and enable the brave lions
to conquer.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 357)
The life of Martha Root is a living proof of every aspect of
the Master’s words above. Martha Root was called the “lioness at the
Threshold.” With all the powers unleashed in this Day of God, anyone can do
extra-ordinary deeds. This is the age of fulfillment in which the poor shall inherit
the earth, only if one should arise.
But the tests and difficulties that come in believing in the
Revelation of Baha’u’llah should not be underestimated. In most cases, it is a
humbling experience. In our awesome journey to paradise, tests and difficulties
in successive turns will surely visit each one of us. In the Qur’an it is said:
“Never will they attain (unto Divine bounty), except through severe trials.”
For the people of faith, trials, tribulations, disasters, sorrow, pain and
illness are all parts of the spiritual path of purification that the soul
travels when drawing closer to God to ultimately attain His Presence.
If Baha’is don’t hang on to the cord of steadfastness, what
is their loss? Paradise? No, bigger. Blissful abode. Baha’u’llah explains:
"Put away the cups of Paradise and all the life-giving waters
they contain, for lo, the people of Baha have entered the blissful abode of the
Divine Presence, and quaffed the wine of reunion, from the chalice of the
beauty of their Lord, the All-Possessing, the Most High." (H.M. Balyuzi, Baha'u'llah - The King of
Glory, p. 171)
Reflection:
On the ladder of faith, what is the highest rung? I think it
is certitude. What do you think?
Deeds (path of service)
Say: O
people of God! Adorn your temples with the adornment of trustworthiness and
piety. Help, then, your Lord with the hosts of goodly deeds and a praiseworthy
character. We have forbidden you dissension and conflict in My Books, and My
Scriptures, and My Scrolls, and My Tablets, and have wished thereby naught else
save your exaltation and advancement. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the
Wolf, p. 135)
In the last post we saw that fear of God is a motivating
factor for good deeds and virtues. In this quotation, there is a connection
between trustworthiness and deeds. More interestingly, we are asked to help our
“Lord with the hosts of goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character.” Does spirit
of faith has anything to do with your path of service?
Previous post links are:
http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/04/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-ii.html
http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-spirit-of-faith-part-i_28.html
http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/03/theme-love-of-god-part-iii.html
