TORCHBEARERS FOR A NEW AGE
There probably isn’t a one of us who hasn’t
been moved by the sight of Olympic torchbearers as they carry the
flame that represents their ongoing pursuit of excellence. What great
symbology this is for all of us who strive, through our daily living,
to exemplify that which is good and right and beautiful. Indeed, as
we search for the best in life, we cannot help becoming increasingly
mindful of what our forefathers must have endured that we might reach
this time and place. It cannot be denied that those who were here
before us paved the way for us to come into this time and age. Now
we, too, must act as luminaries for those who are to follow. Yes,
ours is a rich heritage, but let us not forget that with that heritage
comes responsibility.
We are on the front edge of civilization, you and I. Because we are
privileged to ride the crest of human progress, we are helping to
carve out a path for mankind as we seek to discover and attain our
true destiny. Truly, we are torchbearers for a new age where quality
of thought and depth of spiritual experience must define the new pursuit.
For thousands of years, man has sought to improve his existence so
his energies could reach beyond the struggle for survival and the
meeting of his daily needs. Gradually, man is reaping the rewards
of those labors. More and more, he is finding himself blessed with
a leisure that was not available to him before. The challenge, then,
becomes not so much one of earning his daily bread as in improving
the quality of his living.
Having conquered, or nearly so, the material aspects of life, man
must begin the spiritual adventure lest all his earthly gains be counted
as loss, for it is only in the spiritual dimension that the material
finds its true meaning and takes its true place in the consciousness
of man. A purely worldly pursuit is a dead end, but when it is the
result of a spiritual focus born out of the desire to know and do
the will of God, it produces consecrated and fruitful living.
In every age there have been those special few who have heard the
call and answered. Always, they were the ones who kept the flame alit,
who gave shape and direction to man’s inner progress. To hear
the call is a humble thing, but answer it we must lest we lost sight
of the nobler purpose for which we were created.
It is there, in the crucible of consciousness, that divine spiritual
forces do their transforming work as they bring us to new heights
of understanding and service. If we will but do our part, we will
find in both service and duty a sense of fulfillment. In serving others,
we reach new heights within us. In the fulfilling of duty, we touch
upon a purpose far greater than our own.
The high calling is a noble work that begins deep within the silence
of our soul. If we are true to the call, a better way of life will
find expression through us – not so much in what we say as in
what we are, not so much in what we do as in how we do it. Such is
the call and the promise. Those who respond will indeed become silent
torchbearers for a new age as they lead mankind toward a higher way
of life.
The question, then, is whether we are willing to be part of this forward
thrust. Have you been called to be a torchbearer? If you listen to
what your heart is saying, most surely you will find the answer.
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~Donna Miesbach~