t be, the Baha'i will learn to accept his lot with "radiant
acquiescence." Severance does not mean stolid indifference to one's
surroundings or passive resignation to evil conditions; nor does it mean
despising the good things which God has created. The true Baha'i will not
be callous, nor apathetic nor ascetic. He will find abundant interest,
abundant work and abundant joy in the Path of God, but he will not deviate
one hair's breadth from that path in pursuit of pleasure nor hanker after
anything that God has denied him. When a man becomes a Baha'i, God's Will
becomes his will, for to be at variance with God is the one thing he
cannot endure. In the path of God no errors can appall, no troubles dismay
him. The light of love irradiates his darkest days, transmutes suffering
into joy, and martyrdom itself into an ecstasy of bliss. Life is lifted to
the heroic plane and death becomes a glad adventure. Baha'u'llah says:--

He that hath in his heart even less than a mustard seed of love
for anything beside Me, verily he cannot enter My
Kingdom.--Suratu'l-Haykal

O Son of Man!

If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My
pleasure, regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I
may eternally live in thee.

O My Servant!

Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul
from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to
thee no more.--The Hidden Words.

Obedience

Devotion to God involves implicit obedience to His revealed Commands even
when the reason for these Commands is not understood. The sailor
implicitly obeys his captain's orders, even when he does not know the
reason for them, but his acceptance of authority is not blind. He knows
full well that the captain has served a thorough probation, and given
ample proofs of competence as a navigator. Were it not so, he would be
foolish indeed to serve under him. So the Baha'i must implicitly obey the
Captain of his Salvation, but he will be foolish indeed if he has not
first ascertained that this Captain has given ample proofs of
trustworthiness. Having received such proofs, however, to refuse obedience
would be even greater folly, for only by intelligent and open-eyed
obedience to the wise master can we reap the benefits of his wisdom, and
acquire this wisdom for ourselves. Be the captain never so wise, if none
of the crew obey him how shall the ship