Are we behaving as God's delegates?

Rule 23: The human being has a unique place among God’s creation. “I breathed My Spirit into him,” God says. Each and every one of us without exception is designed to be God’s delegate on earth. Ask yourself, just how often do you behave like a delegate, if you ever do so? Remember, it falls upon each of us to discover the divine spirit inside and live by it.

What we are witnessing right now in India is not only unprecedented but also fury of ‘God’. Everyone has a tragedy to share, everyone is hurting because they have lost their loved ones to Corona-19. More than that they have a horror story to share about how Corona hits, about the mismanagement at every place; be it ambulance service, hospitals or cremation grounds. People are seeing the lowest and most dreadful face of humanity. 

At the same time, we are hearing the positive stories coming from all corners about how people are coming together and helping others. The real-life heroes who are acting selflessly and more importantly swiftly to help people in such a time of crisis. They are people from all walks of life. Auto-rikshaw driver who has turned his auto-rikshaw into a makeshift ambulance, a software engineer who is delivering free food, a motivational speaker who was creative enough to arrange a 200 beds hospital with oxygen and medical staff within a week, a film star helping migrant workers, students trying to help people find beds and oxygen cylinders, not to forget numerous religious and other organisations doing their bit to help as much as possible. There are numerous stories of human spirit, courage and most importantly hope in humanity. Hence the phrase, ‘I breathed my spirit into him (human being)’ seems like an apt one. Also, unfortunately, there are stories about corruption, about people taking advantage of the Corona-crisis.

All of us are feeling fearful, hopeless, helpless and directionless but have we tried to ask ourselves if we are actually doing our bit to justify the spirit of God within us? I feel sorry to say but most of us have not taken our duty to be (what Shamz says) ‘God’s delegate’ as well as even worse so with people taking advantage. We are busy criticising governments, system and ‘others’ but have we looked into our own deeds? So, is helping people with food, money, oxygen, medicine etc. is the only way we can do our part in such a crisis? What about just being a simple human being? What happened to doing our own duties such as following simple guidelines like wearing masks and keeping social distance? What about not celebrating festivals, not organising ceremonies, marriage parties, etc.? What about not spreading rumours about vaccines or not forwarding non-verified messages on social media? What about taking on all kinds of corrupt people? I must say that we as a society have failed to do so and the result is there for everyone to see.

I am currently in a small, provincial town as I considered it much safer than hard struck Delhi. However, the situation is even in this place by now almost like Delhi. The system has put its entire might to make people aware of the dangers of corona. Even the loudspeakers have become hoarse with telling people to wear masks and follow social distancing but until government actually forced to the lockdown people were attending marriage parties and wearing masks on their throats. We thought that the guidelines are for the neighbours to follow so that we can take a walk and feel some fresh air on our faces. We are blaming everybody from governments to Chinese people’s eating habits but the needle does not turn towards our own selves.  

I wish that all of us looked within ourselves to look for that spirit of ‘God’ which he has breathed into us and do our bit to save our loved ones. This spirit is present in all of us and the proof of it are those who have become our real-life heroes who are working tirelessly and selflessly to save lives and who have shown us actual human spirit which is divine. The need is only to go within and behave like a responsible human being. I have been doing my bit by adhering to the simple guidelines given by the governments such as wearing masks, staying at home and not going out for any unnecessary purpose, keeping the mandatory two meters distance from people and washing hands regularly. I am not saying that this can prevent virus from spreading but it is so obvious that it will slow down the spread and may give vaccine companies to produce enough vaccines to save lives. 

I appeal to all to do our bit.  Take the opportunity and be a responsible father, mother, neighbour and citizen. Be mindful of our duty to ourselves, our family and loved ones i.e. to be safe, to be healthy and to make them feel safe and happy. I hope that when this is over we would be thankful even for these times because it is forcing us to look for that ‘God’s spirit’ which we all have but had forgotten to bring out and to transform ourselves.