The Vessels
Written by Nida Syed
Life is like a fantastical quest: a challenging path ridden with fire breathing dragons, goblins, and pesky elves, all of whom serve as tests. Then, there are the Vessels. The Vessels are ones that provide food, shelter, generosity and guidance by the command of their Rab (God). They are delightful beings, like water quenching the thirst of a traveler. Or like wind, providing direction. Or like earth, strong and firm in faith. Or like fire, burning with passion and a desire to motivate change for the better. Vessels serve as reminders that the favors sent down to us on the quest originate from Him.
Dreamer is seated on the prayer mat, arms supporting her legs as she leans back slightly. Her expression is blank and her heart is heavy. After a long period of silence, she finds the strength to utter words to her Rab (God): "Ya Rab, my heart is finding unrest. It beats impatiently and causes me to stand suddenly and pace. It's yearning for something but I do not know what. What shall I do to calm this heart of mine?" There were sounds of pitter patter outside the cottage from the falling rain, the element of water reviving the earth from its deadness. Dreamer climbed into her bed after speaking to her Rab and curled into a ball, almost to hold her heart in place to quiet the beating. The pitter patter soothed her to sleep, finally. Her brain quiets its loud voice to allow its owner to sleep.
The next morning, she woke up, her eyes squinted from the bright light of the sun. She looked around her to find she had woken up in a forest. A shadow was cast on her body of a cloaked figure. The figure gave a friendly smile as Dreamer got up in shock: "Who are you?" "I am Vessel, and I am here to help you find the answer to what you're seeking from your Rab." She got up hastily, brushing the dirt off her clothes. "You will?" she asked hopefully. "Follow me," Vessel said.
Dreamer felt safe under the guidance of her new companion. With each step in the journey, she was collecting the keys to unlock her answer. There was a beauty of traveling the road with a companion, a being she could share her journey with.
"I think we are getting somewhere!" Dreamer exclaimed. She looks back to Vessel with a wide smile only for it to quickly turn when she sees Vessel several paces behind. "My Dreamer, this is where we must part." Dreamer's heart dropped. "Part, but why?" she pleaded, her eyes desperate. "My time with you is over, I must leave. You must travel the course like the earth. Grounded, focused, with strength and sturdiness" said Vessel. Dreamer cried out "Please do not forsake me." The element of fire burning her heart with pain at the thought of separation. Vessel, with an even firmer voice, said "Have you attached yourself to the means by which your Rab provides help instead of the one who sends the help? Turn to Him again like you did before, for He is the means for your help. I may be back, if I am called to you again. But for now, this is goodbye. Do not resist what is meant to happen. Surely what is meant for you will always find its way to you. Surrender, " his stance unwavering. "Thank you, for everything you have done for me" Dreamer whispered. And with that, Vessel was gone with the night.
Dreamer collapsed to her knees, feeling vulnerable and scared at where the journey would take her now. She looked up from her teary eyes to call upon her Rab again. "Hello, my Rab. It's me, Dreamer. Please do not forsake me for even a second." She was filled with a force of unrecognizable strength as she got up from her state and continued along the path, with the certainty that her Rab was with her.
Some time later, as Dreamer was traversing through life, a figure appeared in her path. Dreamer froze in fear. "Do not be afraid," the figure said. "My name is Vessel.”
Photography by Nida Syed
