Excerpt from Psalm 16

"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me."

Reflection by Felix Carrion

Recently, I read a Hasidic legend that spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you.

When God created human beings, the angels were jealous because God had endowed the humans with divine wisdom that would guide them through life. So the jealous angels conspired to hide this gift from the humans. "Let's take it to the peak of the highest mountain," said one. "No," said another, "Let's bury it at the bottom of the deepest sea." But the smartest angel of all said: "Let's hide divine wisdom deep inside each person. It's the last place they'll ever look."

It sure is hard for us humans to really believe that God placed in us the divine counsel that would guide and show us the path of life. Sometimes we do need the counselor or personal coach or the friend that does not leave our side, because the crisis calls for it. But when we are ready, then the true work of inner explorations and of soul-searching begins. The very best counselors know this. Their efforts wisely guide us back to ourselves. When we come upon an epiphany, the best counselors never take credit. They point back to where it came from.

At a meeting I heard someone say, "We have to learn to listen, to listen to learn." Why not learn to listen to the deepest knowledge God placed in us when we were created?  Finally, we can stop running to and fro looking for a treasure that lies right beneath our noses, closer than our breath, more mysterious than the pulse of our heartbeat. Will this be the last place that you will look?

Prayer

O God, how clever you are! And, oh yes, how playful! Now I can laugh because all along I was looking in the wrong places. Now I can look in the right place. I'll meet you there. Amen.

About the Author Felix Carrion is Coordinator of The Stillspeaking Ministry, United Church of Christ.

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