God is not a winning machine where we input rituals of worship and get the results of success. He is a loving person who responds according to his wisdom for our ultimate benefit.
When we face difficulties, especially ones we can’t seem to handle on our own, we often turn to God for help. Based on our tradition, we might perform rituals of prayer and worship with the hope of solving our problems. However, if our issues don’t quickly resolve and we don’t get the expected results, we start to wonder: what’s wrong?
The problem lies in our conception of God. Living in a world filled with machines that do our bidding when we follow the proper process, we may unconsciously project this mechanical vision onto God. We might start to view him as a kind of “winning machine” or “problem-solving machine,” expecting that if we perform the rituals correctly, our problems will be neatly and swiftly solved.
However, God is no machine. He is a living, loving person. He wants to help us and certainly appreciates our approach to him through rituals done for his sake. Yet, being far wiser than us and seeing far beyond what we can, he often solves our problems in ways that promote long-term growth, rather than offering quick fixes. As a result, we may not receive the answers we expect within the timeframe or in the way we envisioned.
This evolved understanding of God and his ways is what wisdom texts like the Bhagavad-gita aim to impart. The Gita helps us see God not as a problem-solving or winning machine, but as a living, loving person who is our greatest well-wisher (5.29). When we grasp this, we can wait more patiently for him to reveal his answers on his terms.
Summary:
- We may unconsciously project a mechanical view of God, expecting ritual input to yield instant solutions.
- God, as a wise and loving person, often provides growth-oriented solutions rather than quick fixes.
- Understanding God’s approach fosters patience and trust in waiting for his answers on his terms.
Think it over:
- Do we sometimes see God as a problem-solving machine? What issues arise from this perspective?
- How does our vision of God change when we see him as a loving person rather than a problem solver?
- Reflect on how viewing God as a loving guide influences your trust in his timing and responses.
***
05.29 A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.
Leave A Comment