“The life of this world is nothing but a game and a distraction, the Home in the Hereafter is best for those who are aware of God—why will you not understand?” (Quran, 6:32)
Maybe it’s ironic that I’m posting this on the internet, which is perhaps the greatest distraction ever to grace mankind. But I love the principle taught here that many of the things people care about in this world—career, wealth, entertainment, technology, even politics—are merely transient aspects of this life.
Now, more than ever before, it’s easy to let information smother inspiration. To worry more about what others think of us than what God thinks of us. To seek personal prestige over prayer. To limit our growth to temporal methods rather than accept the limitless offer of divine aid. To allow the travails of today and tomorrow to crowd out the potential ecstasies of eternity.
I need this reminder as much as (or more than) anyone. To me, being “aware of God” means more than just an intellectual knowledge of God’s existence. It means I need to take the time to talk to Him, and actually give Him time to respond. Whether that be at my bedside, out in nature, or on the way to work, I can reorient myself each day so that even when I’m immersed in the busyness of daily life, I have the broader perspective, the purpose of life to draw closer to God and attain His attributes (and therefore, His happiness), at the forefront of all I do.
The Commonplace Notebook 