Moonstruck in the month of Jamál (Beauty)

Tonight's moon really caught my eye, with a tinge of red reflected from the sunset - creation is most perfect! Tonight is, as well, the first night of the Bahá'í month of jamál 'Beauty', making an appropriate start to the present 19-day cycle in the midst of the "King of Festivals", the 12-day Ridván period -Rejoice!

...of divine wisdom and heavenly counsel, [Rúmí says]:

Each moon, O my beloved, for three days I go mad;
Today’s the first of these—’Tis why thou seest me glad.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Four Valleys, p. 49)

Moon as seen from Oslo, 27 April

Freedom from fear through the love of God

JOY, what a gift is Joy!

Today joy came to me following a realization that one of my long-standing habits in social relationships was motivated by fear - I see that my whole life I had been motivated by this negativity - a fear of making mistakes!

The words from Baha'u'lláh's The Four Valleys came to mind:

“Love is a light that never dwelleth in a heart possessed by fear.” (Four Valleys 58)

As did ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's words:

"In the highest prayer, men pray only for the love of God, not because they fear Him or hell, or hope for bounty or heaven. …" (BNE 94)

Immediately I was overcome by a sense of loss. But then, the reassuring words of the Bahá'í prayers entered my heart, and I was drawn in attraction to my Maker through the Tablet of Ahmad. The rest was His doing, and I can only express my ETERNAL GRATITUDE for this greatest Gift: the love of God dispelling my own small fear through the power of His Word!

Regarding this subject, the writings state:

"O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love..."

--Bahá'u'lláh, HW P3

"O thou who dost believe in the Unity of God! Know verily nothing will benefit a person save the love of the Merciful One. Nothing illuminates a man’s heart save the radiance which shines forth from the Kingdom of God! Put away every thought and doubtful mentioning and keep thy thoughts entirely on that which uplifts man to the heaven of the gift of God and that which causes every bird that belongs to the Kingdom to soar unto the incomparable realms, the center of everlasting grandeur in this world."

--‘Abdu’l-Bahá, TAA 229 (emphasis added)

I feel, moreover, that one means whereby the love of God can be retained and expressed is through being "swift" (i.e. not hesitating) in His path (does the confidence I perceive in this concept somehow facilitate His love?) -

"O SON OF GLORY! Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High."

--Bahá'u'lláh, HW P19

Another related post is available here.

(Image from stock.xchng)

In the greater picture, individual contributions may count the most

In these G20 summit days it may be well to remember that we can all do each our small part:

"Think...at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race..; for love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth..; strive...to banish that darkness for ever..."
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá

http://is.gd/qAYq

Read the BBC summit report here.