LECTURE
WAKE UP AND LIVE
© The School of Truth
Source p. 78, Apr / May 2007 - The Path of Truth
The most precious gift that God has given man is life itself - with all its experiences, and opportunities for fulfilment and service. Yet many do not appreciate this gift. They walk in the shadows instead of the sunlight, they expect the worst instead of the best, they spend their time thinking and worrying about themselves. They do not aspire to work with what is best in themselves. They find their days wearisome, whereas busy people find their days too short.
No-one has the right to be bored, or to kill time in this most interesting and fascinating world. There is so much we can do to help others, but we must want to do it. We are not all gifted in the same way, but we can all make a worthwhile contribution to life. This is doing our Father's work - the very reason we were brought into being.
What can you do best, and in what way can you do it in the service of God and man? It may be that you have found your niche, that your talent is also your life's work. Then your whole life is giving - giving what your heavenly Father has given you. People recognise it and appreciate it, and you thrive. But, even if you are not sure what is your talent, you may still give of yourself in simple ways and let others, by their response, guide you to your own treasure.
Life can be full and rich for us all if we make it so. If it is not, let us take stock of ourselves to see where we are falling short. You do not need material wealth to live a life of fulfilment, for abundance does not precede giving - it is the outcome of giving. You need alert minds and understanding hearts. For those who cultivate these, the world is full of interest and reward. But so many people live in a groove, do their day's work almost resentfully, and are content to finish their day in front of the TV and in anaesthetic sleep.
Life should be full of change. We can find new interests, meet new people, and do things that we have not done before. We can venture into new communities and find out how they live. It is always possible to refresh our minds. We can visit the nearest library, or pursue an interest through a specialist group or the Internet. Truth is everywhere - in art, history, philosophy, world affairs, in every sincere human endeavour. We can join a neighbourhood association or a world-wide one.
If you have the urge to do some particular thing - do it. Even if you are middle-aged or older, and have the urge to play some musical instrument, take the plunge. You may have to accept that you will never excel, but you will find a wealth of satisfaction in tackling something that has appealed to you for so long. Or get a computer, even an old one, and learn to write with it and send letters with breathtaking speed to loved ones and friends by e-mail. Get a digital camera and learn to send photographs the same way. All these are expressions of the Infinite Mind of God. Start gardening in containers. Buy a guide on special paint effects and redecorate a room. Restore an old piece of furniture. Make albums of old family photographs. The opportunities are endless.
Never postpone living. Develop your imagination, be creative, wake up, engage with the world, and do things. Every sincere activity and every activity followed with true passion, even if only for a while, fulfils God's purpose in you and leads you to His calling in you.
Life is not intended by the Giver of life to be dull. God has given us this wonderful world - the sun to shine by day and the stars by night, the seasons in all their beauty, the hills and valleys, the immense ocean, the flora and fauna, and our fellowman - that we may be fulfilled and, by our fulfilment, fulfil His purpose in us.
Above all, learn to feel and express gratitude. For that is the highest prayer that we, God's children, can say to Him: "Thank you dear Father that You have given me all that You have, and all You ask is that I accept it."
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