THE SCHOOL OF TRUTH LECTURE WAKE UP AND LIVE

The most precious gift that God has given man is life itself - with all its

experiences, and opportunities for fulfilment and service. Yet many do not

appreciate this gift. They walk in the shadows instead of the sunlight, they expect

the worst instead of the best, they spend their time thinking and worrying about

themselves. They do not aspire to work with what is best in themselves. They find

their days wearisome, whereas busy people find their days too short.

No-one has the right to be bored, or to kill time in this most interesting and

fascinating world. There is so much we can do to help others, but we must want to

do it. We are not all gifted in the same way, but we can all make a worthwhile

contribution to life. This is doing our Father's work - the very reason we were

brought into being.

What can you do best, and in what way can you do it in the service of God and

man? It may be that you have found your niche, that your talent is also your life's

work. Then your whole life is giving - giving what your heavenly Father has given

you. People recognise it and appreciate it, and you thrive. But, even if you are not

sure what your talent is, you may still give of yourself in simple ways and let

others, by their response, guide you to your own treasure.

Life can be full and rich for us all if we make it so. If it is not, let us take stock of

ourselves to see where we are falling short. You do not need material wealth to live

a life of fulfilment, for abundance does not precede giving - it is the outcome of

giving. You need alert minds and understanding hearts. For those who cultivate

these, the world is full of interest and reward. But so many people live in a groove,

do their day's work almost resentfully, and are content to finish their day in front of

the TV and in anaesthetic sleep.

Life should be full of change. We can find new interests, meet new people, and do

things that we have not done before. We can venture into new communities and

find out how they live. It is always possible to refresh our minds. We can visit the

nearest library, or pursue an interest through a specialist group or the Internet.

Truth is everywhere - in art, history, philosophy, world affairs, in every sincere

human endeavour. We can join a neighbourhood association or a world-wide one.

If you have the urge to do some particular thing - do it. Even if you are middleaged or older, and have the urge to play some musical instrument, take the plunge.

You may have to accept that you will never excel, but you will find a wealth of

satisfaction in tackling something that has appealed to you for so long. Or get a

computer, even an old one, and learn to write with it and send letters with breath

taking speed to loved ones and friends by e-mail. Get a digital camera and learn to

send photographs the same way. All these are expressions of the Infinite Mind of

God. Start gardening in containers. Buy a guide on special paint effects and

redecorate a room. Restore an old piece of furniture. Make albums of old family

photographs. The opportunities are endless.

Never postpone living. Develop your imagination, be creative, wake up, engage

with the world, and do things. Every sincere activity and every activity followed

with true passion, even if only for a while, fulfils God's purpose in you and leads

you to His calling in you.

Life is not intended by the Giver of life to be dull. God has given us this wonderful

world - the sun to shine by day and the stars by night, the seasons in all their

beauty, the hills and valleys, the immense ocean, the flora and fauna, and our

fellowman - that we may be fulfilled and, by our fulfilment, fulfil His purpose in

us.

Above all, learn to feel and express gratitude. For that is the highest prayer that we,

God's children, can say to Him: "Thank you dear Father that You have given me all

that You have, and all You ask is that I accept it."