Measuring Devotion

Aum Sairam,

We are in the fast moving materialistic world where success is measured
in terms of bank balance or the material acquisition we have made in
short span of life or the influence we in have on the politicians or
name and fame in the society. Only when we know we have achieved these
milestones we know 'We Are Somebody'. Now when we measure everything,
don't you reckon it is but fair to measure our devotion towards God
as well? Well then how do we go about measuring our devotion? No, there
is no device used to measure devotion nor there is a thermometer
available to measure our love towards God. Then how do we measure it?
Why does one think of God? The big question. When we are in trouble we
seek blessings of God to help us get out of the sticky situation and
bless us with what we desire. Well once that is granted we then keep
asking for some other thing. Now the question is - God is the giver no
doubt but nothing is for free in this world or the world beyond, there
is something we have to give back, there comes a point when our prayers
are not answered or we feel the world has come to stagnation. Why is
this so? The point is it is time now for us to reflect and see if our
devotion towards God has progressed on not. The yardsticks used for
this measure of devotion are

1. How many times I think of God in a day?
2. Do I think of him always or only when I need something from him?
3. Do I thank God for what he has done?
4. Do I think of God without asking him anything for self?
5. Do I have this desire to read his books?
6. Do I engage in frequent conversations and talk only about HIM?
7. Have I changed my prayers from giving me materialistic wealth to knowledge?
8. Do I give charity thinking of God and that he may be in the form of beggar?
9. Do I long to be in HIS Company always?
10. Am I being righteous always?
11. Do I evaluate my talk and thoughts always to see if they are
appropriate as prescribed by God?
12. Do I harm people knowing or unknowingly?
13. Am I being humble always?
14. Do I make every effort to curb my ego?
15. Do I fantasize being in the presence of God?
16. Do I feel pain for others when they are in trouble?

If we keep asking us these questions regularly I am sure a stage will
come when we have fulfilled all our questions and God himself will
confirm our faith. There are different ways to measure the progress of
our devotion but the sincerity in pleasing God and obeying his word is
important. So now let us ask this question to ourselves today - HAVE I
AGAIN ASKED for MATERIALISTIC FULFILLMENT TODAY, OR ASKED FOR HIS COMPANY?

Allah Malik