Faith

                                                                                                                         Gratitude for the image :Theories of Light by Jeffrey Smith

It's one thing to trust
when
 we're flowing downstream,
our hearts buoyant,

choices easy,

effortless cooperation 

in a sweet stream of synchronicity.

How do we fare though

when our way is steep, 

and we meet
 obstacle after obstacle,

only to see the path ahead

lead up a sheer mountain wall?

Do we judge a path to be worthy

solely when it flows with ease?

How would a salmon
answer that question,

or a bird migrating
across entire continents?

There are always deeper tests
of our vision, 

deeper tests
of whatever it is we count on 

to guide us on our way.

At times a lack of flow
can indeed be an indicator 

to help us realize it's time
to release our agenda 

and have the patience
to allow a new pattern to unfold,

a new door to open.

Sometimes though,
relaxing our determination

and our commitment
to a particular direction

would amount to self-betrayal.

At these times warrior lessons 

come thick and fast,

and obstacles are not evidence
of a wrong turn

but an opportunity to learn
about expanded capacities

of courage and perseverance.

If we depend on external signs of ease
for guidance, 

at some time or another
we'll end up lost, 

doubting ourselves
when the sky grows dark

and adversity comes to the fore.

But all of us,
every single one,

are free to know
what truth feels like in our bones

in the silent glow
of our innermost core.

With this core as our rudder,

we can be resolute

no matter the circumstance.

This is the vision, 

the trust in ourselves, 

that can lead us
all the way through.

This is the guide that illuminates
the path worthy of our faith.



~~Luke Anderson