O SON OF SPIRIT!
Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words #22

We spend so much time and energy doing things that degrade our position in this world.  Instead, we should funnel those efforts into the service of God—the purpose for which we were created.

With dedication and will power you can rise to great heights!

~ Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 87

I believe that people can accomplish anything.  What is necessary, however, is the utter devotion to a mission as well as concentration and focus on a particular goal.  With that, anything can be accomplished.

Service to humanity is service to God.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 8

I was teaching a children’s class yesterday in a public park.  There were just a few kids and not one of them has much experience with the Baha’i Faith.  Because of this and a wide range in ages, I wanted to keep any quotes we used short and simple.  After providing a few examples of how people can serve each other which is in turn serving all of humanity and ultimately God, such as improving the water system in a developing nation, working to create better and more equitable school systems, or simply helping your neighbor carry in his groceries, I introduced the above words from Abdu’l-Baha.  Upon doing so, the oldest boy in the class, a rising 6th grader, got very excited and exclaimed, “I get it!… every time I do something that helps someone else I am helping God.”  This was so wonderful to hear from a boy who had just had his first exposure to the Baha’i Faith.

If actions took the place of words, the world’s misery would very soon be changed into comfort.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 16

While watching a video about a Baha’i friend who decided to take some action instead of just speaking, I was reminded of this quote from a speech Abdu’l-Baha gave nearly 100 years ago on another continent.  I also thought about how many people will hear about a tragedy in other nation, or even of someone in need in their own community, have the thought “Somebody really should do something…” and then go about their regular life.  This is not the way that God in mind when we were created in His image.  Rather, he planned for us to help each other and to take action rather than just talk about doing something.  If we did, perhaps we could cure some of the world’s ills.

It was while Abdul Baha was in Paris that a group composed of different sects awaited an audience to argue their various faiths. Suddenly this divine teacher of men swept into the room and pointing out of the window, exclaimed: "The sun of truth rises in each season from a different point of the horizon — to-day it is here, yesterday it was there, and to-morrow it will appear from another direction. Why do you keep your eyes eternally fixed on the same point? Why do you call yourselves Christians, Buddhists, Mohammedans, Bahais? You must learn to distinguish the sun of truth from whichever point of the horizon it is shining! People think religion is confined in an edifice, to be worshipped at an altar. In reality it is an attitude toward divinity which is reflected through life.

"This movement eludes organization — it is the realization of a new spirit. The foundation of that spirit is the love of God; and its method, the love and service of mankind. Many who have never heard of this revelation teach its laws and spiritual truths.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 14

This description of Abdu’l-Baha is stunning.  A major reason that I became a Baha’i is that I had already come to believe in all of the principles of the Faith before ever learning the name of Baha’u’llah.  Accepting that he was the latest manifestation of God was easy for me at that point.  I have heard this similar story echoed from numerous others as well.  To me, the concepts of unity, world peace, harmony of science and religion, equality of men and women, the establishment of a universal auxiliary language, providing education for all, and that all religions are worshipping the same God were what made me a Baha’i.  Anyone who deigns to serve mankind and promote these truths is showing the love of God.

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness.

Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

Today I return to a children’s class within my local community.  I try to pray this prayer whenever I come into that class.  There is something about that always makes me smile.  The imagery in a lot of Baha’i writings I find to be quite vivid, and the the analogy of God’s children being His handiwork wrought by His might is a nice one.  This prayer not only emphasizes their education, but also their ability to serve humanity, in addition to their protection.  Every time I say it, I stop to consider if I am saying it for their benefit, or for my own.

Let deeds, not words, testify to thy faith, if thou art a man of true learning.

~ Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 286

Shoghi Effendi reminds us here that it is what we do, and not we say, that matters most.  Although a person can claim to be very wise, to have read all of the sacred texts, and even to be a great leader, there is nothing that provides evidence of his faith like the acts that he commits.  Rather than being someone who tells others to “do as I say, and not as I say”, Baha’is are encouraged to let our actions teach others what the love of God is.

O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH!
The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words #54

I am sure I could write volumes on this concept, but I will let this idea stand on its own. I wish to add just one thing… money is not the only way to measure one’s wealth. Rich and poor do not necessarily refer to the amount of money a person has, but can also refer to other qualities such as honesty, wisdom, faith, or compassion.

Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.

~ Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 26 (Tablet of Bisharat)

Baha’is spend a lot of time and energy in service of others.  Although it can be tempting to focus on one’s own desires and wishes, the service of others can be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life and will return its favors many times.  Spending time in another’s company, praying with a friend, helping a local school to build a new playground or visiting nurse home residents, or reading to a sick child are all forms of service that benefit others—the satisfaction and bonds with another person or a community that these acts of service will initiate will return to the individual.

O SON OF MAN!
If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My pleasure, regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I may eternally live in thee.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words #7

This short writing from the Hidden Words reminds me that in order to truly love God, His creations and the rest of humanity, I must look not towards myself and my desires, but must focus my energies, my thoughts, my talents, and my life on Him.