“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”

—Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD), Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher

The joy of living is contagious.  Each day it comes like the light which shines brighter and brighter.   In short it’s our daily bread dished out for us to taste its sweetness.  This heavenly delicacy which is sweeter than honey accompanies us on our journey.  Faith is a free and everlasting gift that has no limits.  It’s special and supernatural.  Supremely it’s like heaven on earth when people traverse fields picking beautiful flowers.  This journey is through the loving care of our Creator, who dwells in the universe.  In our divinely orchestrated world believers stroll independently with a special passion walking by faith, and not by sight.  Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890), a major Dutch Post-Impressionist painter said, “I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.”  Van Gogh was talking about this divine guidance in his faith walk.   So why shouldn’t we do the same by living in harmony with our fellowmen and women?

A Joyful Witness

Let your shout for joy penetrate the night air.  Be happy when you witness to others by showing thanksgiving to the  Divine that’s loving and just.  God, Allah, Brahma, or Dao is our bread that feeds us with abundant blessings.  For our benefit this Ultimate Reality has bestowed us with the gift of knowledge.  As a testament to such a gift innovators have invented technological and other devices that make living more enjoyable.  Daily the Best Primal Essence sustains and uplifts our souls.  We’re therefore able to journey in life with confidence, patience, and perseverance.  While doing so, religious practitioners relentlessly storm the heavens with prayers seeking what’s best in life.  These petitions bring relief to souls longing to discover life’s blessings as they live in harmony with the universe.

In cultures water is used in commemoration of the sacred.

It symbolizes life, protection, and healing.

But above all, different faith traditions use water for purification purposes.

That’s because it cleanses, and washes away impurities

And has become the objective of rituals in sacred ceremonies

Believers are at the mercy of water just like the God or gods they worship.

Buddhist monks used it in bowls for ceremonial rites of the dead.

Christians baptize with water and original sin is washed away.  Initiates are either immersed, have water poured over their heads, or sprinkled.

Hindus seek cleansing in sacred rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, or Godavari for purification purposes, freeing themselves of pollutants, and to attain Svarga (the paradise of Indra).

Muslims literally purify themselves before approaching God in prayer.

Jews also practice rituals of washing.  And Exodus tells the story of the Israelites’ liberation, their journey through the Red Sea, and the drowning of Egyptians charioteers pursuing them.

Water is also known to have other mystical qualities.

In different denominations it not only liberates, but free believers from sin, and redeemed by God.

To Christians the “living water” is Jesus Christ himself.

Performing ritualistic rites in the Ganges dispels differences in the Indian caste system that are often part of Hindu culture that Buddhism deplores.

So every Hindu temple has a pond of some sort for the rite of washing before entering the temple.

“Eternal Spirit – thank you for water as the building block of life, and all its precious gifts”

Amen        

Paul was convinced that neither “height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).  Such trust we will have through Christ because our sufficiency is of God (2 Cor 3:4-5).  Like David, we will have confidence in God like a child that is weaned of his mother (Ps 131:2).  That is why our judgment will be with the Lord, and our work with God (Isa 49:4), because “there is nothing too hard for Thee” (Jer 32:17).  The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, so we have to repent, and believe the Gospel (Mk 1:15).  God’s kingdom is everlasting and his dominion will endure for all generations (Ps 145:13).  With faith we must have confidence even in difficult times (Jer 1:17).

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), an English poet and playwright regarded as the greatest writer in the English language wrote, “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”  Some might put some restraints on their faith.  But Shakespeare was rather pragmatic about what he saw as a way of treating others.  On the other hand, Rome, Pope Francis (b. 1936) said, “Although the life of a person is in the land full of thorns and weeds, there is always space in which the good seed can grow.”  Pope Francis expects us to have barriers in this world concerning our personal growth.  He was however assuring that despite these, Christian believers will still find fertile ground for growth.

Trusting God & Others

People though, have to learn how to trust.  Allyson Felix (b. 1985), a track and field sprint athlete said, “The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance.  Lots of time we go through different trials and following God’s plan seems like it doesn’t make any sense at all.  God is always in control and he will never leave us.”  It’s clear that when it comes to trusting others we must put our faith in God, who never disappoints. 

Believers should be confident, and trust in the right source in faith.  A lack of trust in God will do us no good.  Lao Tzu (6^th to 5^th C – 531 BC), an ancient Chinese philosopher and poet wrote, “He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted.”  Trusting is therefore reciprocal.  Knowing this comes through prayer and studying God’s Word. 

By trusting we will continue to grow our faith.   Natalie Goldberg (b. 1948), a popular New Age author and speaker said, “Trust is what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.”  At times love can be disappointing, yet we must freely offer this gift of love to others.  We have to be willing to show confidence. 

Power of Trust

Thomas J. Watson (1874 -1956), a businessman wrote, “The toughest thing about the power of trust is that it’s very difficult to build and very easy to destroy.  The essence of trust building is to emphasize the similarities between you and the customer.”  Watson gave a business perspective of getting things done. 

A hopeful perspective of trust came from Golda Meir (1898–1978), a prime minister of Israel who said, “Trust yourself.  Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life.  Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”  To Meir trust is an ongoing process.  It involves inventing and re-inventing oneself, and basing your life on a set of good values.  In the end it will be through faith that we attain the outcomes we have envisioned.