IN THE NAME OF GOD!

 

Begin With the Name of God

There is something deeply meaningful about beginning an important task or any task for that matter by remembering God, in the name of God - by putting Him first - "Mungu Mbele."

Many people have different ways of acknowledging the Divine before they begin their work. The words may be different, the prayers may be different, and the understanding of God may differ—but the underlying message is the same: we are not self-sufficient at all, and what we do in our life governs our wellbeing and our destiny. Therefore how you and I start that action or deed or word or thought totally matters - and hence IN THE NAME OF GOD!

To begin in the name of God is to pause for a moment before we act. It reminds us that our abilities, knowledge, opportunities and even the time we have been given - are gifts. It encourages humility: I will do my best, but I recognise that I am not the ultimate source of everything.

It also gives purpose to our actions.

When we begin a meeting, a journey, a business transaction, a meal, a piece of work or even a difficult conversation by remembering God, we are acknowledging God and quietly reminding ourselves to do it with honesty, compulsion and deliberately. We become more conscious of our intentions and of how our actions may affect others.

Perhaps most importantly, beginning with God can change how we do something, not merely what we do but equally importantly; HOW WE DO IT!

An engineer may design a structure more responsibly. A doctor may treat a patient with greater compassion and care. A businessperson may conduct a transaction more honestly. A parent may speak to a child more patiently. A traveller may begin a journey with gratitude rather than simply rushing towards the destination.

The words themselves are not the most important thing. What matters is the consciousness behind them - the mindfulness - the Consciousness of God

For some, it may be Bismillah. For others, it may be a Christian prayer, a Hindu invocation, a Jewish blessing, a Sikh remembrance of the Divine, a Buddhist reflection, or another expression meaningful to their tradition. 

The language may change, but the beautiful principle remains: before we begin, we remember that GOD ALMIGHTY is greater than us - and HE is All-Powerful and thus able!

So certainly - we should make it a habit.

Before beginning something important, pause.

Remember the Divine in whatever way your faith teaches you. Ask for guidance. Set a good intention. Then begin.

Because when we begin with God, we are not merely starting an activity.

We are reminding ourselves of who we are, why we are here, and how we ought to conduct ourselves.

So, today's teaching is simple - let us do everything in His name - this will inculcate His presence and His consciousness into our daily habits, our occupations, activities ... and this will eventually lead to salvation - Insha ALLAH