Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 103fine, and useful, but what is it compared to God’sguidance and care?The Amir asked: “Does God’s care createstruggles?”Rumi answered: Why shouldn’t it? Whendivine care arrives, struggling begins. Jesus—whata struggle he made! Yet John the Baptist recognizedthat gift while still in Mary’s womb. Gracecomes first. Then if, by accident, awareness entersin, this is the fruit of God’s grace—the pure gift ofthe Lord. If this were not true, then how couldJesus’ disciples have received such blessings?Grace and submission are like a spark of firethat leaps. First we receive the gift. But if you addcotton and nurse that spark until it grows, thenthat is submission. In the beginning your spark issmall and weak. But once you have nursed thatweakling fire it spreads across the world and setsthe universe aflame. The little spark becomes agreat and powerful blaze.Someone said to the Amir: “Our Master lovesyou very much.”Rumi replied: Neither my coming nor myspeaking is an indication of my love. I say what-