|
We are not prepared for the truth until our fear of being untrue to the truth is greater than our fear of the consequences of being truthful about the truth.
A Sufi Tale
A woman speaks to another woman, saying, "Poor Maisie really has suffered for what she believes in." Asks the second woman, "And what does Maisie believe in?" "Oh, Maisie believes you can wear a size six shoe on a size nine foot."
Comments
Wisdom is always part of what is true. There is no impractical truth. Spiritual truth will always be more practical than all other claims to truth, for spiritual truth is aligned with the Real, not the convenient, comfortable, or popular.
The common man and woman suffers much by trying to avoid suffering by living unexamined claims to truth. Even in religion, a myriad lives truth they have not personally chosen to live through them. And this is one fact of truth: It is not yours until it passes through you, all of you, becoming one with you.
|
|
However, we should not use the word "faith" or "mystery" to claim foolishness and total impracticality as divine truth. Attaching the name God to a claim no more makes it true than attaching the word elf or clown to the claim.
Spirituality, indeed, is not an escape from the harsh truths that test our faith. And often the more demanding claim to truth is the truth, not the less demanding.
The person living in the Spirit often has to accept a truth that while true is not as comfortable as the person who chooses her or her group version of truth based on collective prejudice or mere personal convenience. She who is devoted to Truth, truly, will seek courage from God to claim as true what is more costly to her than all other claims to truth though they demand less or nothing from her.
Some of you readers know of what I speak. You have chosen an honesty in matters of faith that sets you apart as Christians seeking a higher path of genuine spirituality and insightful intellect than is often practiced among persons of religious faith. You are held suspect by some of these persons, if you dare speak your mind and heart. And, at times, you long to be understood. Better to be misunderstood and devoted enough to truth to fellowship with few, even be alone, than share friendly, compromised misunderstandings with many.
See page 2 for Suggestions for Reflection
Continued... |
