I had a
teaching session for medical students last Wednesday. It was to begin at 9am.
The road was very busy, a bit more than usual rush hour crowding. I reached the
hospital at about five minutes to nine.
The car park looked full. I got worried. If there was no space in the
car park, I would have to come out and to find another parking space somewhere in
the side lanes. This could take at least another quarter of an hour. I do not like being late. I continued towards the farthest end of the
park, praying to God “let there be at least one free space”. As it happened,
there was one space right at the end. I looked up, thanked Him and hurried to
my class.
This, I am
sure is an experience many of you must have had. On reflection, it seems very
childish, requesting God for a space in the car park, a seat in the cinema,
good marks in the exam, promotion in the job etc. What was I thinking! Has God
nothing better to do. His attention is much more required by the millions of
people suffering due to war, famine and flood. The patients suffering from
serious illnesses need His miracles infinitely more. And here I am asking God
for such trivial things, Is there no limit to my selfishness!
People ask God’s
help to decide which lottery numbers to choose and which car to buy. Certainly, president Obama needs His help more
urgently in making the decision on whether to help Syrians or continue killing
Taliban.
God’s domain
does not just have humans. He surely will not ignore the prayers of billions of
battery chicken and sheep waiting in the slaughterhouses. And what about problems
and miseries in other worlds on other planets in this vast universe?
When I asked
God for help in securing a parking space for me, was I truly expecting Him to
do this or was it just a habit created by my cultural background. It feels very
foolish and silly now but at that time in the car park, I was really expecting
it.
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