Among the most beloved and blessed attributes in the sight of God is patience. Those who endure the unpleasant with resignation will receive "the choicest gifts:" (2:19)

Say, this earthly life shall come to an end, and everyone shall expire and return unto my Lord God Who will reward with the choicest gifts the deeds of those who endure with patience. Verily thy God assigneth the measure of all created things as He willeth, by virtue of His behest; and those who conform to the goodpleasure of your Lord, they are indeed among the blissful.9 The Bab (2:20)

We all know we can never get out of this world "alive." And yet we live as if we will. Life is a journey; we must consistently set goals and move on. What matters is not where we started but how far we have traveled. Our life is like a taxi ride. Whether we go anywhere or not, the meter keeps ticking. Sooner or later our earthly ride hits a dead end. And the ticking taxi has no reverse gears (2:21)

O CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE!

>Set not your affections on mortal sovereignty and rejoice not therein. Ye are even as the unwary bird that with full confidence warbleth upon the bough; till of a sudden the fowler Death throws it upon the dust, and the melody, the form and the color are gone, leaving not a trace. Wherefore take heed, O bondslaves of desire! (10 Baha'u'llah- ) (2:22)

All sacred Scriptures encourage us to take advantage of the opportunities we have in this life to advance spiritually. While here, on our journey towards God, we can advance in one instant as much as a thousand years. This will never again be possible. The most critical feature of this world among all the worlds of God is this: It sets the pace for everything that follows throughout all eternity. We are asked a thousand times and more to seize the moment before it is gone forever: (2:23)

Seize your chance...inasmuch as a fleeting moment in this Day excelleth centuries of a bygone age ...Neither sun nor moon hath witnessed a day such as this. (11 Baha'u'llah- ) (2:24)

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