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God, I love you, but I am afraid! How do I know I will not be deceived? (Another seemingly innocent excuse for avoiding personal responsibility.) (2:1) We can continue endlessly finding a hundred other excuses people give for avoiding their responsibility to God, to themselves, and to society. The result is this: We keep the page so full, make it so cluttered with personal messages and excuses, there is no room for God's angels to write. (2:2) Human beings are experts at blaming others and finding excuses. A little girl asked a famous musician for his autograph. 'Sorry my hand is too tired from playing.' he claimed. 'My hands are even more tired from applauding!' she responded. (2:3) God sends us many clues and gives us many signs to help us to find Him and follow Him. We must become sensitive to these clues and discover their inner meanings. It is said that nothing happens by coincidence, that there is a reason for everything. We can discover the reasons only if we attune our souls to the heavenly music. God constantly sends us messages, but we are too busy to listen. He offers us many opportunities that we ignore. (2:4) We must pray constantly to become worthy of the gifts of God. Seeing Him with our hearts and souls is the most precious of all gifts. It does not come by force, but by capacity. We must pray for a greater capacity. A little girl loved maple syrup and often dipped her finger into the big barrel. One day, she fell in and, as she was sinking, she prayed, 'O Lord, make me equal to the opportunity!' That should be our daily prayer. The ocean of God's gifts and blessings is endless. We all have a chance to immerse our souls in the Word of God: (2:5) Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.5 Baha'u'llah (2:6) We must constantly polish our hearts to make them as pure as glass, so that they may absorb the light. God does not wish to live in a dirty house. Would you? Would you touch your pure and precious garment with dirty hands? (2:7) O SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation.6 Baha'u'llah (2:8) O WEED THAT SPRINGETH OUT OF DUST! Wherefore have not these soiled hands of thine touched first thine own garment, and why with thine heart defiled with desire and passion dost thou seek to commune with Me and to enter My sacred realm? Far, far are ye from that which ye desire.7 Baha'u'llah (2:9) This life is a test. What is the purpose of a test? To reveal what lies hidden. Every opportunity, every challenge reveals our inner motives; it shows whether we are fearful or bold, narrow- minded or broad-minded, bound by tradition or by truth, by self-interest or by common-interest. (2:10) In dealing with men it is God's purpose to test them and to see what they truly are. Ecclesiastes 3:18 (2:11) The grading of all the tests is done at the end of this life, which is the beginning of the next. That is the most awesome scene in the eternal destiny of every human being. No one can escape it. At that point we will receive our final evaluations. We will be told how we have scored. (2:12) The news of the coming of great Messengers presents the most challenging and decisive test for human beings. Some people hear the news and ignore it; others scan it briefly and stop; some investigate it all their lives but never make a commitment; others accept it but do little to promote it; some oppose it; and others embrace it and promote it with all their hearts and souls. (2:13) The test of recognizing God's Messengers and Redeemers is mostly spiritual; it pertains to the heart and soul. If people acted according to reason, proof, and evidence, the whole world would be Baha'is. For, as we noted, the rational evidence for the Baha'i Faith is overwhelming. But unless the hearts are ready and receptive, no amount of evidence can make any difference. (2:14) To pass a test, the individual must meet certain requirements, must make certain preparations. Unless those requirements are met, the individual cannot succeed. How can a seeker pass his or her tests? What are the traits of a true seeker? Are you willing to test yourself ? It is wise to look at your soul objectively and without fear. Your whole destiny depends on your courage and desire to know yourself. The following is a test. The left column lists the standards by which you can judge yourself; it shows the traits of a true seeker. The right column offers you an opportunity to rate yourself. In relation to each trait listed, give yourself a rating from 1 to 5: 1 indicates that you judge yourself to be farthest away from the true seeker; 5 shows you are closest. (2:15) A true seeker: (2:16) Has a deep desire to find the truth and pursues it with unwavering resolve. Searches for truth like the one who has lost a jewel. (2:17) Tests everything for himself, and does not depend on others-- parents, peers, or pastors-- to judge or decide. Refuses to seek safety in tradition or popularity. (2:18) Selfish interests do not stand in his way: 'How will my friends react?' 'What will my parents say?' Such questions may enter his mind, but they do not affect his judgment. (2:19) Erases from his mind all preconceived notions. Like a member of a jury, he begins with a clear slate. (Some people even allow a new name to affect their judgment. They refuse to study the Baha'i Faith because, they say, it 'sounds' strange!) A true seeker does not, as 'Abdu'l-Baha states, 'while loving and clinging to one form of religion, permit himself to detest all others.'8 (2:20) Is sincere and does not argue merely to win a point. (2:21) Is patient and persistent, and willingly invests ample time and effort to discover his heart's desire. (2:22) Has a good heart, free from deception, hypocrisy, and pretension. (2:23) Is humble enough to say, 'I don't know,' and confident enough to say, 'I can find out.'
(2:24)
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