When we start on our spiritual quest, we may feel that we are far away from God. How can we reach him? By seeking his grace. 

A tiny toddler can’t just by reaching out touch the face of her tall father who is towering above her.. But if she just stretches out her arms to indicate her desire to be lifted by him, he will bend down and pick her up in his arms — and she will be able to touch his face. 

Similarly, we are like toddlers who are existing and functioning at the material level of reality, which exists far below the spiritual level of reality, where God resides and reigns in his eternal glory. It’s next to impossible for us to stretch our consciousness so that it extends beyond the material level to reach not just the spiritual level, but the zenith of spiritual reality, God. However, such exerting would be necessary only if God were just a passive presence that we had to reach solely by our efforts. 

Thankfully, God is much more; Gita wisdom reveals him to be an all-loving, all-attractive person, Krishna who eagerly wants us to be united with him. We just need to convey our desire by practicing bhakti, fixing our mind on him and dedicating our work to him. Pleased with our desire and endeavor, he will extend himself to reach us and lift us out of material existence to his personal abode (Bhagavad-gita 12.06). And he will do so soon, for his love for us won’t tolerate delay when we are eager. 

One-sentence summary:

God may be unreachable to us, but we are never unreachable to him; please him with our desire and endeavor —  and he will reach us. 

Think it over:

  • Why is it next to impossible for us to reach God?
  • How can we show God that we want to be with him?
  • In your situation, how can you show Krishna your desire and endeavor?

***

12.06: But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me… [– for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death].