Often, we go through life without realizing that we are coasting. All of the functions of life seem to be working, yet we are not really participating. In a sense, we become spectators in the game of life. There are those who live their entire life this way.
What does it take to wake us up to the potentiality of a life fulfilled and well lived? What this really requires is spiritual awakening of sorts. In the Torah, there are a few passages that shed light on this phenomenon. As the Israelites wandered the desert, God commanded them to take a lamb and offer it as a Paschal (Passover) sacrifice. Those, however, that were unable to bring the sacrifice in the allotted time either because they were impure or because they were out of the vicinity complained to Moses about it, and asked, “Why should we be excluded so as not to bring the offering of the Lord in its appointed time, with all the children of Israel? ‘ (Numbers 9:6 – 10).
God’s response to this heart felt plea and desire to be included with those who bring an offering to God so they might improve their relationship and closeness to God, was to offer them a second chance, another opportunity to bring the offering. God told Moses that any person who is originally impure or who was at a far distance and therefore unable to bring the offering, would have another chance to do so a month later.
This heart rending plea of ‘Why should I be left out? ‘ reverberates throughout the generations and human existence. Yet, it takes character and an enlightened state of mind to recognize that something is missing, that we are being left out.
We never want to be one of those who coast through life without ever recognizing that something is missing. The first step of being able to lead a life of meaning and purpose is the recognition that something is missing, to the degree that one is spurred to ask, ‘why is it that I am being left out of the game? Why is it that others are able to fully participate in life, fulfilling their purpose, with divine consciousness, while I seem to just flounder and go through the motions? ‘
Once the void is felt and this question is asked, a space opens up for a second chance, an opportunity to reconnect, draw closer and live a life of divine consciousness, of connection to the divine flow. It is at this moment when the search for purpose can begin in earnest and when a life of meaning and fulfillment can begin.
The question to ask today is: are we missing out on something in life? Are we living life to the fullest? Are we living our purpose? Is our life imbued with divine consciousness? If not we don’t have to be left out. There is alway a chance, no matter what stage of life we are in, to make it right, for a second chance and a new act. But it all starts with a question and lack of satisfaction with the status quo.