Life is a tapestry woven with threads of both light and shadow, joy and sorrow, triumph and struggle. To live a spiritual life is to live a poetic life–to recognize that each thread, each moment, is a verse in the grand poem of existence. It is to see the divine in all things, both in the bright days of celebration and in the dark nights of the soul.

Reflect firstly on the moments of joy, those times when life feels like a song of praise. These are the moments when the world seems to hum with a sacred energy, when love flows effortlessly, and we feel deeply connected to the universe around us. The divine is easy to recognize in these experiences.

Consider the simple beauty of a sunrise, the way the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold. In that moment, we see the hand of the Creator, the artistry of the divine manifest in the natural world. Or think of the laughter shared with loved ones, a sound that resonates with the joy of being alive. In these moments, life itself feels like a poem, and we are reminded of the goodness that pervades the world.

But the poetic life does not only dwell in the light. It also embraces the shadow, recognizing that the sacred is present even in our struggles. There are times when life feels heavy, when the burdens we carry seem too great to bear. In these moments, it can be difficult to see the beauty, to feel the presence of the divine. Yet it is precisely in these dark times that we are called to open our eyes and hearts more fully.

Think of the difficult moments in your life, those times when you felt lost, broken, or alone. Perhaps it was the loss of a loved one, a painful betrayal, or a period of deep uncertainty. These experiences, though painful, are not devoid of meaning. They are the darker verses of our life’s poem, the ones that add depth and complexity to the narrative. In these moments, the divine is present as the quiet whisper of hope, the strength to take one more step, the courage to keep moving forward even when the path is unclear.

Living a poetic life also means finding the divine in the ordinary, the mundane moments that make up the majority of our days. It is in the small acts of kindness, the quiet moments of reflection, and the simple pleasures that we often overlook. The divine is present in the warmth of a cup of tea on a cold morning, the rustling of leaves in the breeze, and the stillness of a starry night.

To see the divine in all things is to recognize that every moment, every experience, is sacred. It is to live with an awareness that life itself is a gift, a poem that is being written by the Sacred in each moment we experience. Whether we are rejoicing in the light or walking through the shadows, we are always in the sacred presence.

So, my friends, let us strive to live a poetic life, to see the divine in every experience, both the joyous and the sorrowful. Let us embrace the beauty of our lives in all its complexity, knowing that every moment is a verse in the grand poem of existence. And let us remember that in both light and shadow, in joy and struggle, we are never alone. The divine is with us, guiding us, loving us, and reminding us that all of life is sacred, all of life is poetry. May we reflect that light of guidance and love to one another.

May it be so. Amen.