Love is the Bridge

This Week's Quotation:

Be full of sorrow, that you may become a hill of joy; weep, that you may break into laughter. What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle. When the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray.

Love is the bridge between you and everything.

~ Rumi

Love is the Bridge

Terri McCartney, Soul Care Facilitator

I often turn to Rumi to strengthen my spiritual mojo when I feel at risk of drowning in the pool of sorrow created by our human experience of separation. This year has presented all sorts of challenges—personal and collective. Yet, I recognize these challenges are also opportunities to tap into the creative source of all being for solutions. I must be willing to drop to my knees, pray, and listen. The Divine is everywhere and exists within all the details of our lives. I tend to see that more clearly when I’m on my knees.

When in crisis and chaos, it’s difficult to remember that the challenges we face serve a purpose, even when we may never know or understand that purpose. When I'm confronted with overwhelming challenges, I remind myself that patience, trust, and faith must abide in my heart as they abided in Job’s heart. For me, the only way to hold steady is to pray—to communicate with God throughout the day. The Great Spirit will always reveal what is needed. All we have to do is be willing to ask, listen, and patiently wait.

As Rumi asserts, Love is the bridge between you and everything. We are learning to bridge the divisions and embrace all facets of our human experience. This will bring integration and wholeness where there is division and exclusion. How do we appreciate joy if we have not known sorrow? While our human self may be viewing the chaos and change that we are undergoing with anxiety, our soul navigates using a different guidance system—one that is deeply tuned in to the Source of all that is needed to sail in troubled waters.

May you find this prayer from Emmet Fox brings you home to your divinity, as it does for me when I’m teetering on the edge. There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer: no disease that enough love will not heal: no door that enough love will not open...It makes no difference how deeply set the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, or how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. 

About Open Windows

We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.

We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.