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When we wander in confusion in the course of our lives, God the Parent takes us by the hand, as it were, and guides us along. Such is "divine guidance." God the Parent originally created all human beings and the world in order to have us live the "Joyous Life" and to share in our joy. The significance and the purpose of human existence lie in living joyously while respecting and helping one another. We human beings, however, were unaware of the existence or the intention of the true Parent and fell into the error of thinking that we were living by our own power. Accumulating the "dust" of the mind through caring only about oneself with no regard for others, we have brought suffering and sorrow not only to others but also upon ourselves and, consequently, made this world gloomy. Taking pity on us in this condition, God the Parent is trying in any way possible to help us live our lives joyously and happily. As we get carried away with our busy lives, God the Parent may from time to time tap us on the shoulder, so to speak, and caution us to stop and reflect on our use of the mind. Such is "divine guidance," which may be embodied in illnesses, injuries, troubles, and calamities. When we receive such divine guidance, we may be prompted to think seriously about such things as the miracle and meaning of life. Through difficult and painful experiences, which may seem beyond our ability to handle, we are then able to realize the existence and the intention of God the Parent, understand the truth of "a thing lent, a thing borrowed," and notice how marvelous God's providence is. We are given an opportunity to reflect upon our state of mind and begin to seek a way of living that fills each day with real happiness. Illness and other troubles are, thus, not at all what we think they are. They are not fated, nor are they punishment. They are none other than "divine guidance," provided out of love by God the Parent, who, filled only with boundless parental love, is always watching over us the children of God. When we realize this, the bright path to the Joyous Life will open up before us. |
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