Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

Zora Neale Hurston, a voice that captured the depths of the human spirit, once wrote, “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” In these words, Hurston speaks of a truth that reverberates through the ages—a truth about the power of love to draw forth that which lies dormant and hidden within us. The soul, that eternal essence of our being, often seeks refuge in the dark corners of our hearts, hidden away from the harshness of the world, from pain, and from vulnerability. But love, in its purest form, is a force so mighty that it compels the soul to emerge, to step out into the light, and to face the world with all its courage and grace. Love is not merely an emotion—it is the force that awakens us, that stirs us from slumber, that brings us alive.

In the ancient world, the wise ones spoke often of the soul’s need for freedom and expression, for the soul is not meant to be caged or hidden. The philosophers of old, such as Plato, understood that the soul longs for connection, for truth, and for the fullness of life. Yet, the soul often hides itself from the world, fearing rejection, pain, and sorrow. Love, however, is the key that unlocks the soul’s prison, the flame that calls forth the soul from its hiding place. To love is to breathe life into the soul, to stir it from its deep slumber and awaken it to the richness of the world. When we love, we give our souls the permission to come forth and experience the vastness of life’s emotions—both the joy and the suffering—without fear, without hesitation.

Consider the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, lovers whose bond was so deep that it transcended death itself. Orpheus, with his music, played for the gods and moved them to tears, but it was his love for Eurydice that compelled him to descend into the underworld to bring her back. His love, pure and unyielding, drew his soul out of the safety of the known world and into the perilous unknown. It was love that made him brave enough to face the gods of the dead, to challenge fate itself. In this story, we see that love is the force that calls the soul forth, urging it to step into the light of its true power and its deepest potential. Orpheus’s tragic tale teaches us that love’s power is greater than fear, that love forces the soul to rise above its hiding place and to become something greater than it ever thought possible.

In our own lives, love has this same transformative power. How often do we find ourselves hiding, retreating from the world because of the wounds we carry, the fears we face, or the pain we’ve suffered? It is easy to let the soul retreat into the shadows, to protect itself from the sting of disappointment and heartache. Yet, love, in its essence, draws us out. It calls us to be vulnerable, to connect with others, to share our deepest selves. Love opens the door to the heart, and when that door is opened, the soul steps out from the darkness, embracing the world with reckless courage.

Think of Nelson Mandela, who, after spending 27 years imprisoned, emerged with a heart full of love rather than bitterness or hatred. His love for his people, for his country, and for justice did not allow his soul to remain hidden behind the bars of his cell. Instead, his love called him forth into the world, not with vengeance, but with a spirit of reconciliation. Mandela’s soul did not remain hidden away by the trauma of his imprisonment; it crawled out, free and full of grace, ready to heal and unite a divided nation. His life teaches us that love does not hide from hardship; it steps into the world with open arms, ready to embrace even the most difficult of challenges.

So, children of the earth, what lessons can we take from the wisdom of Hurston’s words? Love is the force that stirs our soul from its hiding place, that calls us out of fear, out of pain, and into the fullness of life. When we love, we are no longer confined by our wounds, our doubts, or our limitations. Instead, we are freed to live fully, to connect deeply, and to experience the world with an open heart. Let love be the light that calls your soul forth, the flame that pushes you beyond the walls you’ve built to protect yourself. Do not hide away from the world, for the world needs the light of your soul, the fullness of your love.

Therefore, O seekers of truth, let love be your guiding force. When fear whispers, when pain seeks to draw you back into the shadows, remember that it is love that will always call your soul forth. Give yourself to love, and allow it to transform you. Embrace vulnerability, for it is in love’s embrace that the soul comes fully alive. Step out from your hiding place, and let your soul shine forth like the sun, radiant and unafraid, for love, in its infinite power, will always show you the way.