I love my Brothers

I remember on my first day in college, I entered the classroom, walked straight up to a place in front, and sat next to a guy whose radiance must have unknowingly led me to his side.

That guy was Reuben Koh, my tutor. It still tickles my bone remembering it, because the first things I noticed were his eyes. I guess his sincerity showed through those glassy pearls.

Possess a pure, kindly, and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty, imperishable, and everlasting. – The Hidden Words.

Yesterday, Brother asked me about the Faith. I expected him to, because of everybody in church, he is the only one to have commented my newly acquired Faith in the Cause.

And just as I have expected, Brother was at first apprehensive, probably seeing the Cause as a deviation of Christianity, for he asked me strange questions..

It was the way he asked me that suggested the basis of his apprehension, which was love. “Is Jesus God?”, “Without a doubt?”, “The words sounds so intelligent, not sure if it has life changing properties.”

This Brother of mine, is special in the way he shows his love.. As you can see, the questions above were specially uttered ta someone he cares, and that humbled me.

I am reminded of Reuben again. When I first got to know Reuben, I was at little surprised and uncomfortable with how warm and loving he is. In June this year, I began studying Ruhi with Reuben and saw more of his radiant heart. Reuben never holds back his love and is always eager to show it. Sometimes, Reuben does silly mistakes, but I am prompted to forgive him, for whatever that led to his negligence are surely occupations directed at service to the community in one way or another. For example, once he forgotten to meet up with me, but it is only because he was studying towards the helping profession, and when he has not been paying attention to me, it is because he is busy with teaching other people and helping them out.

And this understanding, born out of love, has taught me a great deal, about what unconditional love means. I still have a long way to go, but I am gradually seeing the truth of Baha’i teachings.

In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection loosen not thy hold. Treasure of companionship of the righteous, and eschew fellowship with the ungodly. -The Hidden Words.

As John Ling said, “More importantly, is what a religion causes you to do.” The victory of a Cause is seen in the believers in how it has changed their lives.

And I am proud to say that Baha’u'llah taught me a lot about the meaning of love and life. And I sincerely want to share it with my loved ones.

O BEFRIENDED STRANGER!
The candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not. Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life.

Everyday, I continue to deal with many personal issues, like getting pass financial insecurity and trust in God. For money is never enough, but we do not live for money. Money is provided by God not for our own passion, money is given to us so we may purpose God’s purpose in life. If there is no divine purpose, then what is the use of money?

I figured the best way to quench this selfish sense of insecurity is by loving one another..

Suffering and honoring one’s parents.

Yesterday, a friend who suffered from Cancer, complained when her parents forbid her from going holiday with another friend. She had been looking forward to this holiday for two months, gritting her teeth through the side effects of chemotherapies and radiotherapies. Her parents at first said she could go wherever she wants to once she recovers and that gave her hope.

Now that her therapies are over, my friend gets ready for a two-day getaway, but was forbidden by her parents.

Although the reason is unclear, I sympathize with my friend. All that suffering must have been unbearable. What a lot of difference would it make if my friend gets a breather.

I shared my friend’s grief. Many encouraged my friend to stand up for herself. But at the same time, I wonder if my Tutor might have a different opinion. So I asked him.

Tutor said respect for parents is a must. Because even when our doings are good, without our parent’s forgiveness would distress the soul.

This I have to agree due to personal experiences.

Tutor further said strive should be resolved in consultation (discussion and reasoning). Let our Godly character influence others to do good. My friend needs to realize she cannot have everything she wants. By putting God into the picture, things would become easier.

Consultation might be more practical in a Baha’i family because then, every member of the family would realize the importance and benefit of consultation. So here we are, back again to the urgent need for world unity.

Oh, how much is the price of pain, but to let us know more about God?

Praise God for my Tutor. Praise God for pain!

What charity means.

One of the things that appealed to me is Baha’u'llah as the manifestation for the people of our time, bringing new commandments that are suitable and applicable in this time. As a Christian, I found that doctrines preached through the Bible are more practical for people in the days of Jesus, when teachings were told in parables, so that they were easily absorbed. People then had simpler minds, so fear was necessary to drive them away from evil deeds.

One example lies in Matthews 25:40. “Truly, I say to you. Inasmuch as you do it unto one of these My brothers, you do it unto me.”

In simpler terms, some Christians would say, “Do good for God.”

But Non-Christians in this day might take it the wrong way, as if Jesus’ view of God is most holy and others are condemned. Some may see it as hypocrisy, for charity should come from the heart and should not be done to please another.

God must have recognized this change in society perception, for He spoke again through Baha’u'llah more than a thousand years later.

“The essence of charity is for the servant to recount the blessings of His Lord, and to render thanks unto Him at all times, and under all conditions.”

Oh, how important it is to read religious scriptures in the context of time and space!