Faith Through the Fire: Trusting the Unseen

Faith Through the Fire: Trusting the Unseen

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

My reader, I know it can be hard and frustrating waiting, and I know we get anxious and want things to go our way. But I have learned in life the hard way that we have to learn how to truly trust in the unseen. I have been in situations where I thought I was stuck, where it seemed there was no way out. Now, let me get really personal something I don’t say to many.

I remember when I got set up in Georgia trying to help people. I was on the run from the police for sixty days, with not a friend or a helper in sight. Unfortunately, I got arrested and had to go to jail for something I did not do. I remember sitting in that jail cell for a few days, completely broken, scared, and lost. I felt like The Creator had let me down. I was doing good truly, I was. I was feeding the poor, housing the homeless, teaching people about The Creator, teaching etiquette and creative writing classes, and helping clean up a very bad neighborhood. I was faithful in my relationship with The Creator, and yet here I was, locked behind bars.

I was sad, hurt, and upset. And when I got out of jail, I was put on probation. Why me? That question lingered for a long time. I can’t lie I felt abandoned by The Creator. I was also deeply hurt because all the people I had helped were nowhere to be found. Time passed, and I finally had to go to court. My state-appointed lawyer told me that the judge would probably sink me he was known for his harshness and stern judgments. As I sat in court, I watched case after case. Everyone who went before him was slammed with sentences.

Let me tell you, I was in fear. I just knew that when he called my name, I was done. Then, the clerk called: Kateb Shunnar. My knees trembled, and sweat poured from my skin. As I walked to the stand, the clerk asked me to state my name. I said, Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar. The judge looked at me, lowered his glasses halfway down his nose, and took a deep sigh.

In my head, I thought, I’m at my Red Sea, and I don’t see a way across this one. I started to believe what my lawyer had told me. Then, the judge asked me, Why do you think I should not sentence you to time? I took a deep breath and responded, Surely I turn myself, being upright, to Thee who originated the heavens and the earth. I give honor to the Almighty, and I thank Him for forgiveness and redemptive love.

The judge squinted at me and gave me a look. I knew I had to say more, so I continued, Judge, I have a small statement.

The clerk interrupted: Judge, we don’t have time for statements.

I looked at the clerk, then at my lawyer, and then at the judge. The judge took another deep breath and said, Counsel, we will hear the statement of Mr. Shunnar.

I then told him the story of Mercy Over Law.

"I want to share a short story. It’s about a man whose wife was ill. His insurance would not pay for her medicine due to policy restrictions, and no government branch would help him. As a result, his spouse became even sicker than she was before. Desperate, the husband cried out for help and went to his house of worship, but because he had not paid his tithes, the church rejected his request.

Feeling abandoned and out of options, he broke into a pharmacy, stole the medicine his wife needed, and brought it to her. Weeks later, the police arrested him for burglary, and in jail, he sat. He pleaded to see a judge because his wife was home alone, sick, with no one to help her. The judge called a speedy trial with a jury, and the jury found him guilty of larceny, breaking, and entering.

As the police got up to handcuff him, the judge spoke:

'Yes, this man is guilty by law and by social policy. However, I pardon him this day due to his circumstance for he was trying to protect a life that no one else was concerned with. That is the real crime in the higher court of the universe. As a believer in forgiveness and balanced justice, I cannot put hardship on a man who was only trying to save a life when no one else would help. I fear that if I do, the energy of the universe will be displeased with my judgment, and negative energy will ride my back like a monkey. If I ever fall, forgiveness may pass me by for my own shortcomings, for we all fall short sometimes.

The law is just, but know this the universe is merciful. In its balance is healing. In its balance is a cure. Mercy and forgiveness are what we all should seek. So today, I show mercy to this man, and I will help his wife until the universe calls her to the grave.'

The man cried and thanked the judge.

In closing, I say this it is not always just to judge by regulation, for regulations do not fit all matters. Sometimes, it is better to judge by circumstance with mercy. Imagine if the universe were to judge humanity solely by law. Not one of us would be alive. Fire would await us all. But the balance of the universe judges us with mercy. It forgives us and helps us, even when we are at fault. It still feeds us, still provides us with what we need. It does not tell us to wait months for help. It does not say, 'I’m sorry, but it’s policy.'”

When I finished, the judge took off his glasses and looked at me. He said, Mr. Shunnar, I have never heard a story like this before, and I must say it truly touched my heart. What a craft you have, young man. Then, he asked, Is the paper you’re reading from the same story you just told me?

I replied, Yes, sir.

The judge turned to the clerk. Clerk, hand me that document. The clerk walked over, took my paper, and handed it to the judge. The judge put his glasses back on, read the paper, then took another deep breath and said, Mr. Shunnar, your case is dismissed.

That day, my faith strengthened.

This experience changed me. It made me realize that The Creator sees all, knows all, and most importantly knows our hearts. Even when we feel abandoned, even when we feel like we are drowning in life’s unfairness, we must remember that The Creator works in ways we cannot always see.

I share this with you, my reader, so that you know you are never truly alone. No matter what storm you face, no matter how dark the night may seem, trust in the unseen. Trust in The Creator’s plan, even when it makes no sense to you. Because one day, you will look back, and you will see the fire did not consume you. It refined you. And your faith will be stronger than ever.

Just Breathe!