Striving to Make God our Priority

 [2:286] GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits…

[7:42] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life—we never burden any soul beyond its means―these will be the dwellers of Paradise. They abide in it forever.

We are given this interim on earth as an opportunity to redeem our souls and secure our future with God in the true eternal life. It is our responsibility to abide by the laws and guidelines that God, by His infinite mercy, has provided for us in this life. We were not left without guidance, to wonder what God expects of us and what we need to do. By God’s grace He has always made it clear to us what we need to do, how we need to behave, what we should avoid, what we should encourage and what we should discourage and prohibit in order to be redeemed, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. All of this can be found in the scriptures sent down by God.

But, as anyone alive can tell you—as God Himself tells us—this life is full of distractions.

Distractions in every imaginable form—money, children, work, family, television, friends, bills, school, and just plain everyday living. As some people say, life has a tendency to get in the way. But as much as we may feel overwhelmed with what we have to deal with, we must remember that God tells us that He never burdens us more than we can handle. When the Almighty tells us to remember Him in all our day, He knows we can, nay, that we should, do it.

[3:191] They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.”

[7:205] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.

[35:5] O people, GOD's promise is the truth; therefore, do not be distracted by this lowly life. Do not be diverted from GOD by mere illusions.

 

The Purpose of Our Existence

[51:56-58] I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone. I need no provisions from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. GOD is the Provider, the Possessor of all power, the Supreme.

By God’s grace we were guided to His truth as submitters and we know (or we should know) what the purpose of this life is and that our first and foremost priority is seeking to please God, and living as righteously as is in our means.

God tells us that we must constantly be aware of Him and to remember Him so that we make Him our god. This life, as “real” as it may seem is an illusion. Our only goal should be to use every opportunity, every breath and every moment that we have to ‘invest’ in the hereafter—that we may succeed. Making God our priority should be our job, it should be our love, it should be our avocation.

Cont’d on page 2