This blog is dedicated to you, in whom the Spirit resides, and from whom it shines, the chosen instruments for fulfilling God's Purpose in this glorious Age as you are.
You have arisen to do the bidding of God's Sign on earth, the Universal House of Justice, making your humble efforts in His glorious Path.
Every step taken daily in service to mankind, guided by the perfect example of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the attentive Parentage of the Supreme Body, sustained by the Lord of the Age, Bahá'u'lláh Himself, will be blessed a thousandfold, we are assured. Let us thus walk with care, and pay due heed to the precepts given us in this Day of Days in the form of spiritual admonitions and unerring Plans for the restitution of the waning fortunes of a harrassed humanity.
O people of God! Great is the Day and mighty the Call! In one of Our Tablets We have revealed these exalted words: ‘Were the world of the spirit to be wholly converted into the sense of hearing, it could then claim to be worthy to hearken unto the Voice that calleth from the Supreme Horizon; for otherwise, these ears that are defiled with lying tales have never been, nor are they now, fit to hear it.’ Well is it with them that hearken; and woe betide the wayward.The twofold purpose of the conference to which we had been called was to "provide the opportunity for the friends to gather together, as much to celebrate the feats already achieved during the Plan as to deliberate on its current exigencies." These simple but pregnant words infused the gathering with the spirit of eager search as we pondered together lessons of love and unity. Some of the brightest luminaries of our times addressed our parched souls with words of encouragement, care and gentle nudging from the humble podium. We could only look on, listen, and expectantly hope to obey. Then, we were asked to gather in workshop sessions and reflect on those powerful messages that reached out and touched the heart of every one present:
(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets, 64)
He [Shoghi Effendi] it was who inaugurated the prosecution of teaching plans to be derived from the Divine Plan conceived by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, thereby harnessing the energy of the early standard-bearers of the Faith for a systematic implementation of the Master's vision. That same energy now animates the efforts you have made, with strategic intent, to create the conditions for sustained, accelerated growth in cluster after cluster, efforts that are yielding notable results...
May each individual--whatever his or her involvement in the Plan heretofore--shoulder a share of this vital undertaking. Determine, at this propitious moment, not to be the least overawed by the challenge facing you, not to be deterred by the convulsions of a world order now in a state of inexorable decline, not to overlook the guarantee of divine assistance promised by Bahá'u'lláh to every believer who would champion His Cause.1
The Words of the Blessed Beauty ring clearer every day:
By God, besides Whom is none other God! Should anyone arise for the triumph of our Cause, him will God render victorious though tens of thousands of enemies be leagued against him.2
He, verily, will aid everyone that aideth Him, and will remember everyone that remembereth Him.3
May we thus be aided, perhaps through this blog, but surely through other MUCH worthier endeavors, to do Bahá'u'lláh's unequivocal bidding:
Words must be supported by deeds, for deeds are the true test of words. Without the former, the latter can never quench the thirst of the yearning soul, nor unlock the portals of vision before the eyes of the blind.4
I am yours, very humbly,
Alex
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Notes:
1. Message of 3 January 2009 from the Universal House of Justice addressed to the Friends gathered at the Regional Conferences in London (see next blog posting)
2. Bahá'u'lláh, quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice, 57
3. ibid. 76
4. Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, 8
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