God is indeed concerned about the things that concern us, even when our concerns seem mundane or trivial in a larger spiritual context.
During our life journey, many things occupy our minds and weigh on our hearts. When we struggle with these concerns, we often seek divine help, especially when the challenges feel too formidable to handle alone. Yet, we may wonder if our concerns matter to God. Will he dismiss them as insignificant? Will he help us, or is he only concerned with bigger, more divine matters?
The answer is that God is certainly concerned about us, and by extension, he is concerned about our concerns. However, his concern may not manifest in the same way as our own. This distinction is essential to understand God’s relationship with us and how he guides us through life.
In human relationships, a fundamental principle is to value what matters to the other person. If something is important to them, we treat it as important too. For example, a child may consider a toy extremely important. While parents understand the toy is not truly significant, they respect the child’s feelings because the child is important to them. Yet, the parents also know that life involves much more than toys. They want their child to grow and mature, part of which includes gradually elevating their concerns.
Similarly, God’s relationship with us operates on this dual level. He sees beyond the temporary concerns of our lives—wealth, fame, beauty, power, or position. To him, these are like toys because they are fleeting and do not define our core identity as eternal souls. Nevertheless, God cares for us as a loving parent, so he is attentive to our current concerns. When we pray to him about these matters, he addresses them, but not always in the way we might wish. His care for us means he may withhold something that seems enjoyable now if it might ultimately harm us.
More importantly, God’s ultimate concern is to elevate our concerns toward things that truly matter. This dual role is evident in the Bhagavad-gita, particularly in verses 7.16–19, where Krishna outlines the evolution of devotion. Devotees often approach him with temporary concerns, but over time, they can grow to seek lasting, spiritual matters.
In verse 7.17, Krishna expresses special appreciation for those whose concerns have evolved toward enduring realities, yet he also appreciates those who come to him with temporary concerns. God’s guidance helps us realize that material things, however alluring, are ultimately ephemeral. Over time, we begin to pursue and cherish what truly endures, including our relationship with him—the only bond that lasts forever and provides lasting fulfillment.
Thus, God’s concern encompasses our present issues, yet it extends beyond them, ultimately aiming to focus us on what truly matters. In doing so, he helps us find the lasting happiness we all seek.
Summary:
- God cares about our current concerns, just as a parent cares about a child’s concern for toys.
- However, he is also focused on elevating our concerns to what truly matters, much as parents guide their child toward more significant priorities beyond toys.
- By trusting in God’s care for both our present and our ultimate concerns, we can gradually make God our primary concern, discovering lasting happiness in our loving relationship with him.
Think it over:
- Explain, using the metaphor, how God is concerned with both our immediate concerns and bigger spiritual priorities.
- Reflect on an issue that currently concerns you, and consider how you might pray to God with an understanding of his holistic concern.
- Contemplate how God’s dual focus on our present and ultimate well-being can help you reframe your current worries.
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07.19 After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
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