Discourses of Rumi

discourse 3The Amir said: “Night and day my heart and Soulare intent upon serving God, but because of myresponsibilities with Mongol affairs I have notime for such service.”Rumi answered: Those works too are workdone for God, since they are the means of providingpeace and security for your country. Yousacrifice yourself, your possessions, your time, sothe hearts of a few will be lifted to peacefullyobeying God’s will. So this too is a good work.God has inclined you towards such good work,and your great love for what you do is proof ofGod’s blessing. However, if your love of workwere to weaken, this would be a sign of gracedenied, for God leads only those who are worthyinto those right attitudes that will earn spiritualrewards.Take the case of a hot bath. Its heat comesfrom the fuel that is burned, such as dry hay,firewood, dung and the like. In the same way,God uses what to outward appearance looks evil