He Leads

Aum Sairam

There's nothing like walking across a forest floor covered with leaves, particularly if they've been there several seasons. Sponge-like, the ground compresses with every step, and then springs back into place without a sound. It is seemingly inert. Probe just below the surface, though, and you'll find a rich mélange of life decaying twigs, bits of leaves, the remnants of insects and snails. Truly the castoffs of the world, these are the makings of humus, the gardener's "black gold." Inconsequential as it seems, this material is crucial for life here on earth. It is what nourishes plants, holds water in the soil, allows for roots to grow deep and strong. Humus, humility, humble the connections are easy to see.

To humble us doesn't mean feeling guilt or shame. Rather, it means looking honestly at who and what we are, at where we come from, at what we need to live. Humility enables us to be open to God, for when we are humble, we are able to admit that our take on things, our vision of the world, may be skewed, or partial at best. Like the humus building on the forest floor, we become ground that is rich and deep and ready for planting. We become soil that is ready for God.

Oh God, give me a heart that is humble and always eager to seek your face.

Allah Malik