words for Lance

God said, O Lance, what do you hold in your hand?
Lance replied, This is my rod for my journey.
God said,
Throw it down and behold the marvels within yourself!
Lance tossed his rod to the ground
and it became a serpent.
When Lance saw the serpent he ran in fear.

God said,
Pick it up and I will turn it
into a staff once again.
Through my grace your foes will grant you blessings,
Your enemies will reach out in friendship.
When We bring suffering to your hands and feet
like the burning pain of snake-bites---carry on.

O hand, keep reaching for Us.
O feet, keep walking toward the Goal!
Do not run from the hardship We give you,
For wherever you find hardship,
you will also find the means to its end.

No one has ever escaped hardship
without something worse happening in return.

--paraphrased and altered historic Iranian mystic