The two way test

Two days ago as I was reading, these words jumped from the article right into my face: "do you spread the gospel because you are required to, or do you do so because you enjoy its benefits and are therefore determined to ensure that others do not miss the bus?".

There are two ways through which we get into whatever vocation or purpose in life. We are either authentic (the good) or aping others (the bad) when we decide to settle into a life activity. This is what determines whether we enjoy or suffer the resultant harmony and smooth running or disharmony and conflict. Think about the one or two grumpy medical nurses that have had the pleasure of driving a needle into your body at some time or the other. One wonders why anybody would want to be a nurse and seem to hate the work at the same time. Anyway, that is simply it. It's either a calling or you simply got involved because of some other fascination.

Life is simple yet interesting. I have found a simple and interesting way to make a self-assessment as we journey through our daily activities.

• Two ways of getting absorbed into your desired area in life:

1. By a deep yearning to release that which is good within you. That which is true and born of a higher value than the physical.
2. By admiration of those who are actively practicing their purpose or even a fascination with the activity, financial rewards etc.

• Two ways of testing whether you are riding on the good or the bad:

1. By experiencing harmony and a very deep satisfaction in your work and life - an unhindered flow of ideas and creativity.
2. By experiencing constant difficulties and disharmony in work and life - numerous mental blocks and the repeated necessity to procrastinate.

• Two ways of testing whether you have a future in your chosen area or not:

1. Total harmony where the choice is good. A burst of energy and little need to think as you work, since all energy works in concert to achieve the higher goal.
2. The need to juggle the issues of life - total neglect of one issue in order to concentrate on another. The need to constantly stop working in order to think and vice versa as energy is divided and pulling in different directions.

• Two ways to test and know whether you are in your element or not:

1. While in the good you find no or little need to keep checking whether you are doing the right thing or not. You are too busy and in the flow to think about the energy that is coming from within.
2. The constant need to seek external energy boosts when in the bad. Occationally requiring to consult your hero or inspiration in order to pick up new ways and tricks - very much in the way that drugs work.

• Two ways to move on when you have determined your position:

1. When you are in the good you must determine to learn the art of planning and setting goals. You must determine to stick to those plans and goals as a matter of great and critical importance.
2. If you are in the bad, you must go back to the drawing board and seek to discover (uncover from under the illusions, perceptions etc) your authentic self. It is never too late to embark on the journey. Besides, all the problems that you encounter while in the bad go into making you better in the future.

When we preach the gospel because it is a duty, we are not authentic and are doing the gospel a disservice - the gospel does not need us. When we are genuinely fearful that others will miss out on the goodness that we are enjoying, then the gospel cannot do without us. That is why it is said that, that which makes you cry is your true purpose.