God has created an amazing variety and species of life on Earth. The complexity and yet the startling simplicity of life, its varied functions, the amazing interdependence of the life for its smooth survival and growth are mind boggling. Every single species of life has its own place and unique importance in the grand plan of life. The life, work, sleep and play of every life form has its special slot and adds to the total growth and survival of all species. We know about this from observation and also from studying Sciences at school. We still do not know about the different species which could exist across the Universe and the roles that they play in the overall structure of the Universe.
All species operate as per their nature except man. The other species do not have ego and are not hung upon their sense of self importance. Only we spend endless hours wondering if we are worthy of God, if we are worthy enough to carry out the duties assigned to us and the impact of our actions on others. We love to ponder about our roles and importance in the life and in the grand scheme of God. Some of us are born with a silver spoon in the mouth and think and behave as if we are the king of all that we survey. There are many of us who have been hurt by life in various ways and are struggling to live to the best of our ability. We are full of doubts about our service to mankind and God and whether imperfect service done with a broken heart and broken body are acceptable to God. Let us understand from the story below that we are indeed a part of God’s plans and a part of His great scheme of life:
An old woman lived at a distance from the stream. She used to carry water for her drinking needs daily by filling two mud pots which she hung by rope from the ends of an pole. She balanced the pole with the pots of water at each end and walked back home daily. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered the full portion of water while the other pot had a crack in it and arrived with only half the amount of water. Every day for two years the old woman carried the water in the pots to her home and arrived with only one and half pots. The perfect pot was very proud of itself and its work. It was accomplishing the purpose for which it had been made. The cracked pot was miserable. The old woman filled it completely with water daily but it was able to bring home only half a pot. It was ashamed of itself and its imperfection and its inability to complete its work.
Feeling frustrated and a completed failure, the cracked pot spoke to the old woman one day: There is a crack in my body. Even though you fill me fully with water, some of the water leaks and I am not able to carry the full amount of water back home. I am ashamed of myself. My flaw causes you so much loss. You are not able to get the full value for your effort. Please forgive me!
The old woman smiled and replied: Look at the flowers on the your side of path. They are blooming. I know that there is a leak in the pot. So I sowed flowers on your side of the path. Each day when we walk back home, you water them and they are blooming. For two years, I have been able to get fresh fragrant flowers for worshipping God daily and decorating His altar. Your flaw has contributed to the beauty of the path and the beauty of my altar. We are all unique and have our own contribution to the beauty and worth of life!
We must remember that we are all cracked pots! We are all flawed in some way and are working our way towards perfection. But in the meantime before we achieve perfection, we still have important roles to play in life. We all contribute to the grandeur and beauty of life in some way or the other and our efforts are worthy of being offered to God. It is our fight to overcome our flaws that make our life more interesting and gives us more power to focus on God and His love. Despite our flaws, the love of God and His Grace flows through us. Through our love for God and our spiritual practices of SitaRam mantra japa we can reach His Feet and in meantime complete our unique mission in life.
