Life's Challenge: Coexisting with a Limited Understanding of Deity
In the heart of an adult Baha'i, a profound transformation has taken place. This individual, once a child growing up in a fundamentalist Christian culture with a harsh concept of a punishing God, has come to know a different kind of Supreme Being.
Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Bahรก'รญ Faith, is historically recognized as the one who declared his mission as a divine messenger within the earlier Bรกbรญ movement in the 19th century. No individual personally "proved" him as such; rather, Baha'u'llah's teachings and the impact they have had on countless lives over the years serve as testament to his divine mission.
For this Baha'i, the teachings of Baha'u'llah have offered a healing balm, particularly in a passage that speaks of the remembrance of the reader, their devotions, and services. This passage, like a comforting whisper, reminds them of a compassionate Supreme Being who is All-Loving, Ever Forgiving, All-Merciful, and much more.
The sea and mountains, metaphors often used in Baha'i writings, illustrate God's majesty, power, and sovereignty. Yet, it is the boundless and selfless love of this Supreme Being that resonates most deeply with the speaker. They find gratitude in recognizing and feeling the impact of this love on their heart and soul.
However, the journey has not been without its challenges. The speaker struggles with separating the abusive and unforgiving God of their childhood from the loving God they believe in today. As a child, they believed their parents represented God, but the reality was far from this ideal. They were abused by their parents, a truth that has left lasting scars.
The first Baha'i teaching the speaker had to understand was that God loved them and promised never to forsake them. This concept was a stark contrast to the punishing God of their youth. It was a concept that took time to fully embrace, but one that has brought healing and comfort.
Recognizing and acknowledging God's love can have a positive impact on one's heart and soul. For this Baha'i, it has meant understanding that they are chosen by God and loved by Him. It has meant learning to trust and rely on Him, even when things seem difficult or overwhelming. It has meant growing in faith and in understanding of the divine.
The speaker often makes bad decisions by impatiently attempting to solve problems themselves. But in recognizing their small concept of a Supreme Being, they are learning to surrender and let God guide them, trusting in His wisdom and love.
In Baha'u'llah's prayer, the reader is encouraged to recognise God's power and bounty on earth and His majesty in the heavens. The speaker finds solace in these words, for they remind them that their struggles, however great, are not beyond the reach of God's love and compassion.
In the end, the speaker finds peace in the knowledge that they are chosen messengers of love and bearers of spiritual gifts, as stated by Abdul-Baha, the son and successor of Baha'u'llah. They find hope in the promise that whatever has befallen them has been for the sake of God, and they should trust and rely on Him, as He will not forsake them.
And so, the speaker continues on their journey, seeking to grow in faith, love, and understanding, guided by the teachings of Baha'u'llah and the love of a God who is ever-present, ever-loving, and ever-forgiving.
