“I'm tired of people acting like they're better than McDonalds. You may have never set foot in McDonalds, but you have your own McDonalds. Maybe instead of buying a Big Mac, you read Us Weekly; hey, that's still McDonalds, it's just served up a little different.” -Jim Gaffigan
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” – Jesus speaking to us about getting lost in the world.
I think Jim Gaffigan and Jesus are making very similar points in the two quotes above.
Jim is reminding us through his comedy that we all have our own “McDonalds”. That is, we all have our own methods for escaping the world. If McDonalds isn’t your thing, then very likely you have some other guilty pleasure—or worse. Maybe you have an addiction or some other extreme way to forget about the troubles of this world?
I believe Jesus is making a similar point. There are many ways to get lost in the world—especially in the consumer-driven world of the 21st century. And if you do find a way to get lost in the world, then this will likely hamper your ability to consciously connect to the Universe.
Jesus’ warning is very practical advice: Be careful! There are lots of ways to get lost! However, he tells us that it’s possible to find a conscious connection to Source, but only a relatively few number of people are able to do so. His admonition is certainly echoed by other spiritual teachers.
Why do we get lost in the world? What is it about us humans that makes us prone to getting lost?
It seems we are always searching for happiness, for joy and peace. This is good and normal. The problem comes when our search brings us to things that lead to temporary happiness. And then we return again and again to this temporary relief—sometimes with disastrous results in the case of addictions.
I believe that the urge that we all have to feel joy or happiness is related to our search for God. Or stated more specifically, we are yearning to have the feelings we had before our souls entered this Earth school. This is our natural state—a state of conscious connection with Source. In this state your soul knows nothing but love and acceptance. And you are always connected to Source whether you realize it or not.
However, when your soul chose to come to Earth, it agreed to undergo a veil of amnesia. This allows you to have the complete Earth-school experience. You are a spiritual warrior learning the toughest spiritual lessons in one of the most advanced schools ever created.
If it feels like there is something missing from your life, this is likely your soul nudging you toward Source. You are always connected to and a part of Source, but your soul is pushing you to consciously connect with Source, or the Universe, or God, or whatever you’d like to call It. This allows you to experience Heaven while you are still here on Earth.
If you have feelings of anxiety or unease—a feeling that something is missing—pay attention. Stay focused in the present moment. Your soul is giving you an invitation to consciously move closer to God. This is your natural state. Your job is to realize it’s your natural state while attending the Earth school.
This is not an easy task! But I know you are up to the challenge. How do I know? Because you are reading this now. You chose a most difficult school to allow for the expansion of your soul. You are a spiritual warrior learning many life lessons. Every difficulty in life carries opportunities.
The spiritual warrior in me salutes the spiritual warrior in you!
Always let your light shine!
Sean