Trusting God’s plan

A disciple seemed particularly perturbed by what had recently transpired in his life. The hurt seemed to be corroding his very soul. When despite the passage of time he still seemed preoccupied with his distress, the master appeared. “What is it that has cast this shadow in your heart and mind?" The master asked. “I am dejected with life; nothing seems to be going well,” replied the disciple. The master smiled.

“Are you sure nothing is going well? Is the cosmos, the moon and the stars moving in alignment”? he asked. “Yes” whispered the confused disciple.

“Is the sun rising in the east and setting in the west? Is the earth rotating as per plan in its axis?” “Yes,” said the disciple again.

"Is the moon following its lunar cycle? Do the tides still come in and retreat from the shores of the ocean?" The disciple nodded in acquiescence.

The master continued relentlessly. “Did the sun rise today morning? Are you certain it will set at night? Are the seasons in alignment with the natural order?" The disciple could only answer in affirmative.

“Then what is it that concerns you this deeply? What is the thought that is scattering the galaxies, stopping the earth from rotation, disrupting the seasons and dismantling the sun for you? Your lack of perspective is obvious when you let a little nasty thought in your mind dissolve all the good that’s happening around you and possibly to you. When everything is going according to God’s plan you cannot be excluded from it.”

The disciple hung his head; how insignificant his concern seemed now when compared to the schema of sun, ocean and tides. He understood that in the larger design of things little hurts, tiny bursts of anger or grief are insignificant bubbles that should be left to dissipate in the thin air.

Seeing the disciple receptive, the master continued, “Be like the water; graceful, supple, soft and subtly prevailing. Once you are like water; you will find your way despite the obstacles in your path”

It was as though his masters parting words had sanctified him and the elements. He felt as light as air. The sun illuminated the corners of his mind. The water gently cleansed his heart and the sway of the tides lulled his soul to peace.