God as Your Mentor
“I believe that every man, no matter how humble, is manifesting God, as His messenger, therefore every man should be worthy of his messengership by manifesting his Source to the very best of his ability, whether he runs the elevator for an industry or as its president.”
-Sir Walter Russell (‘The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe)
On a balcony on Wall Street on Thursday April 30, 1789, George Washington faced both houses of Congress as he took the Oath of Office as the first president of the United States. Planning to be retired just prior to that time, he was persuaded by those around him to run for president.They felt in their souls that he should be the president to lead the new nation.
In his book, The Traveler’s Gift, by Andy Andrews, the main character finds himself in a massive warehouse with gadgets, photos, art and inventions infinitely stacked in all directions. The angel Gabriel steps in to meet him. He asks Gabriel what all of this stuff is. Gabriel explains that everything in the warehouse represents the dreams and accomplishments that God had prepared for people if they would only have asked for them, but didn’t. Perhaps they actually did pray but either didn’t recognize the answers or were too afraid to apply the faith and effort necessary to realize them.
It’s popular and correct to teach that the universe will provide what we need to fulfill our callings and purposes in life. However, miracles do not come free. Unless one follows the guidance given, there is no hope of success. The universe provides messengers, clues and opportunities if we ask and if we apply ourselves. We are also called on as messengers for others.
In his address to Congress, Washington referred to his “fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe.” He continued, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.”
Each of us is an integral part of the universe that Washington refers to. We not only receive from the universe, the universe calls on us to take actions for ourselves as well as for others. We become both recipients and participants. This is why we so often find ourselves “in the right place at the right time” and why just the right person or situation seems to materialize in our lives when needed.
A few years ago I was offered a job out of state. We picked the most logical city to live in. But that didn’t work out. We put offers on three houses only to find that in each case we were beat out by another offer minutes before. Discouraged, we all loaded up in the car and began driving southbound into the next county, guided by some unseen hand. With no discussion and no specific thought we got off the freeway, drove a mile and turned right. We saw a tiny ‘for sale’ sign on a telephone pole. That was like finding the proverbial “needle in a haystack.” To us that little sign said “Eureka!” We later found that whatever force had brought us to that house had brought us right into the heart of land and houses that were developed by my ancestors more than a century before.
We moved into our new home in the middle of January, with temperatures dropping to just above zero degrees fahrenheit. My wife insisted that the furnace was blowing cold air. She finally convinced me. I felt helpless, but knew I had to take action. I didn’t yet have my tools and didn’t know anyone in town. And it was after ten o’clock at night. My wife and kids were already praying as I went to the basement with a deep prayer in my heart. Somehow I immediately diagnosed the problem. I managed to modify parts from an old light fixture to make the repairs. Somehow, someone had left that old lamp laying around, perhaps just for that occasion. It was indeed, a great and welcome gift. The universe presented the challenge. With the exercise of prayer, faith and action on the part of my family and I, the universe provided a solution.
A couple of years ago I was walking through a campus building that I seldom entered. I saw a foreign student sitting on a bench. He looked troubled. As I approached him he stood up and gave me a hug, saying, “I just arrived in the country a few days ago. I sat down here feeling so alone and isolated. I prayed to God that he would simply send me a hug. Right then you showed up. I can now report to my mom that I’m doing fine.” He is now thriving in his new environment with his educational and career pursuits. His mother’s prayers have been answered and she is confident that he is doing well.
Today I met a trail runner. We had a very brief exchange, then each of us returned to our workout. He later sent me a message, “I’m not a man of despair, but I woke up this morning asking if the Lord would introduce people into my life so this journey could be more enjoyable with positive company. And just like that I ran into those two young men, Ryan and Brandon, and a beautiful young lady, and you. I feel that you were inspired to do just that this morning by what you said to me!”
Each of us is touched by and influenced by the “Invisible Hand” of God. Every encounter changes our lives and the lives of those with whom we come in contact. If we are receptive to God and the universe, each encounter will bring new light and opportunity.
