What Does God Seek From Us?

A Messiah’s Story

This is probably one of my favorite stories. It is so full of intrigue and suspense in the beginning, yet so simple and profound in its ending. I have heard it only once, but I have narrated it a hundred times at least. And each time it fills me with new vigor, enthusiasm, and direction. It is the story about a messiah—a messiah who wanted to retire!

The first time I narrated this story was in Swami’s presence on the 29thof July 2005. I have kept narrating this story many times, in order to keep reminding myself more than anybody else of what Swami wants from me.

Messiah who wanted to retire

There was this messiah who lived in a village. He was a tremendous source of help and inspiration for the villagers who sought his wise counsel for almost every problem. He sought nothing himself and selflessly gave of himself to the people whenever they needed him. Everything seemed to be going well when, out of the blue the messiah made a startling revelation.

“I am ready to announce my retirement now,” he said much to the shock of all the assembled villagers. “I have been preparing for this moment and ultimately, it has arrived.”

“No! You cannot do this. Please do not leave us…” “What will we do without you? Whom shall we turn to for succor and solace?” “How can a messiah retire? What do you mean?” “Why do you want to retire? Have we failed you or disappointed you in any way?” came the questions.

The messiah smiled within himself. As usual, men were making their own audacious assumptions and theories. The assumptions may have varied in nature and scope, but they all were tinged with selfishness to varying degrees. Everyone wanted him to stay for reasons that meant a lot to them—not him directly!

“Every person in every occupation enjoys a retirement. I am only seeking mine! Is that not fair enough?” asked the messiah with a smile.

That was an argument that none could refute. But still, how could they live without the services of their messiah? Looking at the whole situation objectively, the people realized that their domestic problems could be solved through discussions with each other. Financial advice could be sought from some moneylender who still had scruples left. Health matters could be taken up with a doctor. But, what about matters relating to the spirit? Spirituality, though very ‘important’, is never ‘urgent’ and thus gets neglected until times such as these. Now that the messiah was about to retire, spirituality seemed to gain urgency, too, along with importance.

And so, they all pleaded with him, “How will we remain in touch with God if you retire?” “Please, if you must retire, then ensure that we will be in touch with God in some way at least.” “Tell us what we must do so that God is happy with us always…” “Yes! Tell us the one ‘most important’ thing that God wants us to do…” “Yes! Yes! Tell us that ‘one thing’ that God wants from us,” everyone chorused.

The messiah smiled to himself again. If only the people had approached him with this feeling and intensity before, each and every thing that he had said could have served as the potential ‘one thing.’ However, people seem to realize the value of something only when they are about to lose it or, worse, when they have already lost it. So, this reaction was not at all surprising. With all love he said,

“I shall find out what that ‘one thing’ which God wants from you is. And then, I’ll retire.”

The worries of the people were mollified to a certain extent. They at least had something to look forward to now.

What God wants from us…

As per his promise, the messiah went to get the message of the Lord. In a day’s time, he returned from the adjoining mountains. As he walked the streets of the village, all the villagers gathered around him. They knew for sure that he had got the message from God. That ‘one thing’ that God wanted most from them would now be revealed.

Even though the whole village had gathered around him, there was perfect silence. Has it not been said that it is only in the depths of silence that the voice of God can be heard? Physical silence was the first step for true silence. Nobody wanted to miss the great secret that was going to be revealed.

“I am ready to reveal God’s message. But are you ready to listen and follow?”

The first sentence from the messiah broke the silence. There was a lot of murmur and chatter among the gathered people. Small groups began to discuss among themselves. Soon, a few men and women stepped forward to speak. Each of them had something to say.

“If it is something that God wants us to do, we are ready for anything.”

“Even if it means sacrificing all our comforts and going through great suffering, we are ready to do it for God’s sake.”

“If we are told to hang upside down by our toes, we are ready. If we have to blind ourselves, we are ready. If we have to kill we are ready… We are ready for anything…”

“Yes! We are ready to shed tears all our life. Any pain, we shall bear. Please tell us what is it that God wants us to do.”

“Speaking is easy my dear people,” said the messiah, “but when it comes to practice, I hope your enthusiasm and energy does not fizzle away.”

“No! Just give us a try! We will do anything.”

“Not only are we ready to sacrifice, we shall make others sacrifice as well. We will give up our own parents, husbands, wives, children, friends, and relatives, if need be.”

“Anything! We are ready to do just anything. Please let us know what God wants us to do.”

The messiah took a deep breath. And that breath could be heard through the gathering, for everyone was silent, waiting with bated breath. He then smiled because the answer was so simple and straight. He had, in fact, revealed the same all through his messiah ‘career’ days and nobody had paid such attention. His retirement seemed to have focused everyone on the crux of all spirituality.

“Listen, oh people, to the request from God. This is the one thing that God wants you to do so that you remain in touch with the Divine always.”

The silence was deafening now. All the ears were trained completely on what the messiah was about to say.

“God wants you to be happy for Him.”

Allowing a few moments for that statement to sink in, the messiah continued, “God does not want your tears and pains for Him. He does not want your sacrifices and suffering for Him. Nor does He want you to be hung upside down or struggle to please Him. He just wants you to be happy for Him.”

Concluding thoughts

We are all prepared to pine for the lost, cry for the Lord, suffer for the Lord, and endure pain for the Lord. But are we ready to be happy for the Lord? Our objective in life is to be happy and should be our constant endeavor. God wants us to be happy always. Then where is the problem? That is a point to ponder; some food for thought.

Is that not how Swami mostly concluded His discourses? One sample is presented below:

“Always be happy, smiling, and loving. When you are smiling, love will automatically develop in you. There are, of course, some people who will put up a “castor oil” face. You must always be smiling and cheerful. God is always blissful. He does not at all worry for anything. Sorrow and worry are nowhere near God. Always be happy and peaceful. Live like members of the same family, with love and affection. Do not be weighed down by petty difficulties and suffering. Do not give scope to any worry. Even if your wife or children suffer from a disease, do not get perturbed.

Go back to your places with firm faith that everything will turn out to be good. Lead a happy and peaceful life.”  Discourse on 28th July, 2007 (Valedictory function of Youth Conference)

~Deepak Arjandas Bharwani