The world is a hot mess. The thick dust that arises from this messiness prevents us from seeing reality as it really is and chokes our ability to breathe the life-giving oxygen flowing from God’s Spirit. The great temptation in all of this is to be caught up in either hate or indifference. These two common responses only intensify the messiness they can bring forth nothing good, creative, or life-giving. Given the truth that God created the world, Valentin Tomberg tells us, “Love is the source, cause, and motivation of the creation of the world.” As long as love is not our motivation, we will be unable to create positive change in the world and in our lives.
In the spirit of Clare’s words, our task is to “always hold” and “never abandon” our sense of God’s truth, beauty, and goodness. With “unswerving feet,” we must keep our minds and hearts focused on God and our calling to be a force for healing and peace. In this way, we “stir up no dust;” we do not add to the world’s misery. Instead, we “go forward,” propelled by the highest love and wisdom. Let us hold in mind Yogananda’s meaningful and practical words: Read a little, meditate more, and think of God always.
