As February comes to a close this week, with all the latest news and conflicts, it seems important to complete this month with a lighter heart. First though, I want to return to Corinthians 13:13, that I quoted St. Paul last week: "and now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." When your heart is heavy with national and world events, or with troubled events in your personal life, it's not a simple thing to dissolve by just willing your emotions to "lighten up". That's why I offer the scripture; it brings a progression of spiritual perspective. Today I add another Biblical quote Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, but not yet seen." Many assume it was also written by St. Paul, but that is questioned by other biblical scholars. Regardless, it offers a bridge between between faith and hope. Metaphysically, as Emmet Fox put it, "what you think upon grows. Whatever you allow to occupy your mind, you magnify in your life." When you add faith to your thoughts, along with your inherent human hope, you participate in the creation of a more satisfying, fulfilling life.
Naming faith as substance brings a dual message of the real. Faith is an assurance that Life provides for what we need on a concrete level (food, clothing, shelter, financial/transactional wherewithal), as well as fulfilling our spiritual longing for connection to the Unseen, the unfathomable Allness. The true substance is our relationship, our union with the Godhead. Now all this may sound weighty, not light. Yet, our overriding context here is actually Love. Certainly some forms of religious beliefs are heavily weighted with human imperfections, requiring suffering and sacrifice, but what kind of Love is that? Consider instead a spirituality that lifts the burden of life from your shoulders, a spirituality that brings your mind and heart peace, a spirituality that sparks compassion and care that includes--actually begins with--your own well-being and belonging.
This week, follow the thread of life that allows you to feed your faith in the essential goodness and delight in life, an inner song of hope that hums quietly, gently, as you go about your day, navigating whatever disruption or storm. Don't wrestle with hatred this week. Consider the simplicity of love, not the complexity. Simply Love the things, the activities, the beings you love. Tread lightly. Spring will come. Love sustains us all. (Susan Nettleton)
for poetry: https://thepoetryplace.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/life-is-but-a-weaving-the-tapestry-poem-by-corrie-ten-boom/ https://whitmanarchive.org/item/ppp.00270_00330 https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/A/ArabiMuhyidd/Myheartwears/index.html