What Does God Seek From Us?

What Does God Seek From Us?

This is probably one of my favorite stories. It is so full of intrigue and suspense in the beginning, yet so simple and profound in its ending. I have heard it only once, but I have narrated it a hundred times at least. And each time it fills me with new vigor, enthusiasm, and direction. It is the story about a messiah—a messiah who wanted to retire!

The first time I narrated this story was in Swami’s presence on the 29thof July 2005. I have kept narrating this story many times, in order to keep reminding myself more than anybody else of what Swami wants from me.

Messiah who wanted to retire

There was this messiah who lived in a village. He was a tremendous source of help and inspiration for the villagers who sought his wise counsel for almost every problem. He sought nothing himself and selflessly gave of himself to the people whenever they needed him. Everything seemed to be going well when, out of the blue the messiah made a startling revelation.

“I am ready to announce my retirement now,” he said much to the shock of all the assembled villagers. “I have been preparing for this moment and ultimately, it has arrived.”

No! You cannot do this. Please do not leave us…” “What will we do without you? Whom shall we turn to for succor and solace?” “How can a messiah retire? What do you mean?” “Why do you want to retire? Have we failed you or disappointed you in any way?” came the questions.

The messiah smiled within himself. As usual, men were making their own audacious assumptions and theories. The assumptions may have varied in nature and scope, but they all were tinged with selfishness to varying degrees. Everyone wanted him to stay for reasons that meant a lot to them—not him directly!

“Every person in every occupation enjoys a retirement. I am only seeking mine! Is that not fair enough?” asked the messiah with a smile.

That was an argument that none could refute. But still, how could they live without the services of their messiah? Looking at the whole situation objectively, the people realized that their domestic problems could be solved through discussions with each other. Financial advice could be sought from some moneylender who still had scruples left. Health matters could be taken up with a doctor. But, what about matters relating to the spirit? Spirituality, though very ‘important’, is never ‘urgent’ and thus gets neglected until times such as these. Now that the messiah was about to retire, spirituality seemed to gain urgency, too, along with importance.

And so, they all pleaded with him, “How will we remain in touch with God if you retire?” “Please, if you must retire, then ensure that we will be in touch with God in some way at least.” “Tell us what we must do so that God is happy with us always…” “Yes! Tell us the one ‘most important’ thing that God wants us to do…” “Yes! Yes! Tell us that ‘one thing’ that God wants from us,” everyone chorused.

The messiah smiled to himself again. If only the people had approached him with this feeling and intensity before, each and every thing that he had said could have served as the potential ‘one thing.’ However, people seem to realize the value of something only when they are about to lose it or, worse, when they have already lost it. So, this reaction was not at all surprising. With all love he said,

“I shall find out what that ‘one thing’ which God wants from you is. And then, I’ll retire.”

The worries of the people were mollified to a certain extent. They at least had something to look forward to now.

What God wants from us…

As per his promise, the messiah went to get the message of the Lord. In a day’s time, he returned from the adjoining mountains. As he walked the streets of the village, all the villagers gathered around him. They knew for sure that he had got the message from God. That ‘one thing’ that God wanted most from them would now be revealed.

Even though the whole village had gathered around him, there was perfect silence. Has it not been said that it is only in the depths of silence that the voice of God can be heard? Physical silence was the first step for true silence. Nobody wanted to miss the great secret that was going to be revealed.

“I am ready to reveal God’s message. But are you ready to listen and follow?”

The first sentence from the messiah broke the silence. There was a lot of murmur and chatter among the gathered people. Small groups began to discuss among themselves. Soon, a few men and women stepped forward to speak. Each of them had something to say.

“If it is something that God wants us to do, we are ready for anything.”

“Even if it means sacrificing all our comforts and going through great suffering, we are ready to do it for God’s sake.”

“If we are told to hang upside down by our toes, we are ready. If we have to blind ourselves, we are ready. If we have to kill we are ready… We are ready for anything…”

“Yes! We are ready to shed tears all our life. Any pain, we shall bear. Please tell us what is it that God wants us to do.”

“Speaking is easy my dear people,” said the messiah, “but when it comes to practice, I hope your enthusiasm and energy does not fizzle away.”

“No! Just give us a try! We will do anything.”

“Not only are we ready to sacrifice, we shall make others sacrifice as well. We will give up our own parents, husbands, wives, children, friends, and relatives, if need be.”

“Anything! We are ready to do just anything. Please let us know what God wants us to do.”

The messiah took a deep breath. And that breath could be heard through the gathering, for everyone was silent, waiting with bated breath. He then smiled because the answer was so simple and straight. He had, in fact, revealed the same all through his messiah ‘career’ days and nobody had paid such attention. His retirement seemed to have focused everyone on the crux of all spirituality.

“Listen, oh people, to the request from God. This is the one thing that God wants you to do so that you remain in touch with the Divine always.”

The silence was deafening now. All the ears were trained completely on what the messiah was about to say.

“God wants you to be happy for Him.”

Allowing a few moments for that statement to sink in, the messiah continued, “God does not want your tears and pains for Him. He does not want your sacrifices and suffering for Him. Nor does He want you to be hung upside down or struggle to please Him. He just wants you to be happy for Him.”

Concluding thoughts

We are all prepared to pine for the lost, cry for the Lord, suffer for the Lord, and endure pain for the Lord. But are we ready to be happy for the Lord? Our objective in life is to be happy and should be our constant endeavor. God wants us to be happy always. Then where is the problem? That is a point to ponder; some food for thought.

Is that not how Swami mostly concluded His discourses? One sample is presented below:

“Always be happy, smiling, and loving. When you are smiling, love will automatically develop in you. There are, of course, some people who will put up a “castor oil” face. You must always be smiling and cheerful. God is always blissful. He does not at all worry for anything. Sorrow and worry are nowhere near God. Always be happy and peaceful. Live like members of the same family, with love and affection. Do not be weighed down by petty difficulties and suffering. Do not give scope to any worry. Even if your wife or children suffer from a disease, do not get perturbed.

Go back to your places with firm faith that everything will turn out to be good. Lead a happy and peaceful life.”  Discourse on 28th July, 2007 (Valedictory function of Youth Conference)

~Deepak Arjandas Bharwani

What Does God Seek From Us

The question What Does God Seek From Us? has echoed through the hearts of seekers, saints, and devotees across generations. Human beings often wonder whether God desires grand rituals, costly offerings, or extraordinary acts of worship. While traditions may differ in their expressions, the essence remains remarkably simple. God seeks purity of heart, sincerity in thought, compassion in action, and unwavering faith. Divine love is not earned through display but experienced through inner transformation.

When we reflect upon What Does God Seek From Us?, we discover that God values love above all else. True devotion is not measured by the number of prayers recited or the length of time spent in worship. Rather, it is reflected in the kindness we show others, the honesty we maintain in our daily lives, and the humility with which we serve. A loving heart becomes a temple where the Divine naturally resides. Every act of selfless service offered with genuine affection becomes an expression of worship.

Another answer to What Does God Seek From Us? lies in faith. Faith is not blind belief but a deep trust that the Divine presence guides and protects us even during life’s greatest challenges. Difficulties often test our patience and confidence, yet they also provide opportunities to strengthen our relationship with God. When circumstances seem uncertain, faith reminds us that there is a higher wisdom working behind every event. Those who cultivate trust discover peace even amid storms.

God also seeks truthfulness. Living truthfully means aligning our words, thoughts, and actions with righteousness. The world may sometimes reward shortcuts and dishonesty, but spiritual growth flourishes only in the soil of integrity. When we choose truth over convenience, we honor the Divine spark within us. Understanding What Does God Seek From Us? helps us realize that spiritual progress is not separate from daily life. Every honest action becomes a step closer to God.

Compassion is another divine expectation. The suffering of others is not meant to be ignored. Every hungry person, every lonely soul, and every individual in need provides an opportunity to express God’s love through service. Saints and sages have repeatedly taught that serving humanity is serving God. A compassionate heart recognizes the Divine presence in every being and responds with kindness. Through such service, devotion moves beyond words and becomes a living reality.

The teachings shared by Devotional India often emphasize that selfless service is among the highest forms of worship. When we help others without expecting recognition or reward, we reflect the qualities that God cherishes. Service purifies the mind, softens the ego, and expands the heart. It transforms ordinary actions into sacred offerings.

A significant part of understanding What Does God Seek From Us? is recognizing the importance of humility. Pride creates separation, while humility creates connection. When individuals become attached to achievements, possessions, or status, they often forget the source of all blessings. Humility reminds us that everything ultimately comes from God. A humble person remains grateful, respectful, and open to spiritual learning. Such an attitude attracts divine grace.

God also seeks purity of intention. Many actions may appear noble outwardly, yet their true value depends upon the motivation behind them. Acts performed for praise or recognition lose much of their spiritual significance. In contrast, even the smallest act performed with genuine love carries immense value in God’s eyes. Purity transforms ordinary duties into sacred expressions of devotion.

The answer to What Does God Seek From Us? can also be found in surrender. Surrender does not mean weakness or passivity. Rather, it means accepting God’s will with trust and courage. Human beings often struggle because they attempt to control every outcome. Spiritual wisdom teaches that while effort is necessary, attachment to results creates suffering. Surrender allows us to perform our responsibilities while leaving the final outcome in Divine hands.

According to the wisdom frequently shared through Devotional India, prayer becomes most powerful when accompanied by transformation. God listens not only to spoken words but also to the silent language of the heart. A prayer filled with sincerity, gratitude, and faith carries immense spiritual power. Such prayer changes the devotee from within and deepens the connection with the Divine.

When contemplating What Does God Seek From Us?, gratitude emerges as another essential quality. Gratitude shifts our attention from what is lacking to the abundance already present. Every breath, every opportunity, every lesson, and every relationship can become a reason for thankfulness. A grateful heart naturally remains closer to God because it recognizes divine blessings everywhere.

Patience is equally important. Spiritual growth is not an overnight process. Just as a seed requires time to become a tree, the soul requires patience to unfold its highest potential. God seeks perseverance from those walking the spiritual path. Challenges are not punishments but opportunities for growth, wisdom, and deeper faith.

Ultimately, the answer to What Does God Seek From Us? is beautifully simple. God seeks love that is pure, faith that is steady, service that is selfless, truth that is unwavering, humility that is genuine, and gratitude that fills the heart. The Divine does not measure external achievements but values inner transformation. When we cultivate these qualities, our lives become instruments of divine purpose and channels of divine grace.

The timeless message celebrated by Devotional India reminds us that God is not far away. The Divine is present within every heart, patiently waiting for us to awaken to our true nature. By living with love, compassion, truth, and devotion, we fulfill the very purpose of human life and discover the answer that seekers have pursued for centuries.