Something about Rumi captures hearts and imaginations. Somehow, after reading Rumi, we begin to believe it possible for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity to live in mutual respect, peace, and even reverence. Somehow, after reading Rumi, we begin to believe that the Holy One just might be our Beloved Friend -- not a "God" of power and domination who is all about testing, controlling, and judging. Truthfully, unless one is hoping for an "inside job" working for "God" testing, controlling, and judging either one's neighbors or enemies, who in their right mind would want to believe and submit to such a being? Rumi frees us from our dominators! Glorious freedom to dive into the Mystery of Love! Now we can talk about something other than "religion"!
I believe Rumi to be profoundly relevant to both our world and our personal life situations. I also believe that he is yet alive in Love -- and along the way, he left orthodoxy like a tattered coat on a sidewalk somewhere... a good place for us to leave it too, whatever "version" we might have been wearing... the Holy One has something really sweet in Her mind for us!