There is a passage in the book of Matthew that discusses access to the spiritual bounties or treasures of the soul. While it is referred to as the “kingdom of God” in the Bible, I prefer to interpret it as the bounties of spirit. The Bible contains many parables, wisdom, and symbolic meanings that can be confusing or overwhelming when taken at face value.
In this particular passage, it is said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the “kingdom of God.” There is truth in this statement, as wealth often hinders individuals from living a spiritually nourished life.
Now, I would like to share a story that may not directly relate to the thoughts above, but it was prompted by the expression “camel through the eye of a needle.”
I think I was nine or 10 when I first asked my mom how a child is born, and she explained it to me. I was amazed by the difficulty of the process, as she compared it to forcing the head of a camel through the eye of a needle. This realization stayed with me, and it wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I truly understood the transcendental nature of childbirth.
I recently read about someone’s near-death experience and how they felt their spirit separate from their physical body. I can relate to that feeling through my own giving birth experiences. With the last birth, because the baby was very close and no painkillers or anesthetics could be administered, the pain and intensity of the birth was unbearable and made me feel like I was outside of my body and negotiating with a higher power. I felt like I was not going to make it. Yes, I negotiated and I prayed. It was a moment that felt impossible, but it also brought me a sense of spiritual connection.
With each child, holding the bundle of joy at the end of it all was one of the most ecstatic experiences I’ve ever had. The pain and the joy that comes afterwards are intertwined, and they have shaped me in ways I never expected. It also left an impression on my husband, who was with me throughout the process and felt the experience as if it were his own.
But I share this story to convey a message. Sometimes, things may appear difficult, even as difficult as forcing a camel’s head through the eye of a needle. But it is possible to overcome those challenges. We discover our strength and resilience through the struggles we face. Difficult situations teach us valuable lessons and propel us forward in our personal growth. As when we look back at our experience with the bundle of joy in our hands, we understand why it had to be so difficult.
It had to be that way so you can get to where to need to be.
It had to be that way so you can finally experience that bundle of joy. Whatever that might be for you.
It may seem impossible in the moment, but we can transcend the difficulty by detaching ourselves from the experience. By viewing it from a higher perspective, like hovering above it as a spirit, we gain a different understanding. We realize that there is always a way out, always a solution waiting to be discovered. We just need to open ourselves to insights and inspiration.
No matter how challenging a situation may seem, there is always a way forward. By detaching ourselves and seeing it from different angles, we can find the strength and resilience to overcome. And in the end, we emerge stronger than before.
