There seems to be some universal tests
that our Creator/Creation puts Her devotees through,
all different sorts of tests of our devotion.
These tests to our faith in GOD
and our obedience to His Will
are plentiful.
Many devotees have to learn faith in the face of lack of money, shelter, food.
Devotees face loneliness at times
and must depend on GOD for companionship.
We get sick or have accidents or traumatic things happen
or we end up fighting on a battle field,
and it is hard to trust
that it is all somehow going to work out better than ever.
We pray for change
but we panic when everything starts to shift.
So GOD tests us on whether we can be fluid
and in the moment,
and hold faith no matter what the outer circumstances.
And since devotees do not worship $tuff, sex and power,
but mere mortals often do,
we get tested in these areas of temptation a lot too.
Ethics are a big test.

But in another sense GOD doesn't test us at all.
GOD loves us and is happy with us, just the way we are.
We are allowed to run away from GOD,
ignore GOD, even stop believing in GOD
and GOD is happy with us anyway.

Yet life without surrender to the Divine
is not a good life for humans.
Eventually every prodigal son and daughter
will turn towards home again.
We will surrender our lives to GOD.
And then we will start to feel tested
in every area where we have a problem trusting.
We will also receive blessings
and get tested concerning the downside of "success" too.

Yet if we accomplish true surrender,
then we will simply trust and not worry.
And we will experience that GOD can shift our reality
as quickly and as mysteriously as if our lives were just dreams.

My special friend, my Guru, my scripture, my guide says:

"Those with minds that house the Transcendent,
they alone can be called the truly devout.
They see the transcendent in their inmost self;
through loving the faithful they reach their goal.
Always knowing the ONE is so very close,
they are warmly received in the Court.
The ONE showers gift upon the attendants,
and they come to know all.
Living in joy but free from attachment,
says Nanak, such is the life of the truly devout."

- 9th section, 6th verse of Sukhmani

Kamalla Rose Kaur is USA born, of Irish descent, and embraced Sikhism in 1972, at age 18. She tried everything for over twenty years, including frantic practice of Yoga, until she learned "why Sikhs are so adament about having the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their only Guru."

Kamalla Rose is a professional writer, theater director, workshop and seminar leader,
publicist, events planner and singer. Her column appears every Saturday and, starting with this article, every Wednesday as well.

The author welcomes comments and feedback: Love&Light