MAN

living machines. By contrast, the area of man’s thinking is vast. The greatest test of humanity is to discover a balance between thought and action. Man’s Quest Man longs for a perfect world, however he is compelled to live in an imperfect one. His happiness is always short-lived and every success is, in some way, imperfect. The aspirations that he cherishes in the early days of his life are shattered as he begins to age. Just as he begins to take root on earth, disaster, old age, disease and death overtake him. How enchanting the flowers are, but they blossom only to wither. How brilliant is the sun’s radiance, but it shines for only a short while before being covered in darkness. Miraculous though man’s existence is, no miracle can save him from death. Everything in this world shall perish. Although this world is inexpressibly beautiful and meaningful, all its virtues are bound to fade. All mundane things have a dark side to them. How, one may ask, could a God who is Himself perfect, be satisfied with the creation of an intrinsically imperfect world? The absolute cannot abide in the nonabsolute. This world must be inconclusive. Another world must follow to compensate for the inadequacies of the present one. Everyone is seeking some unseen fulfillment. Everyone seeks a perfect world, but this has always eluded man. Yet it is quite natural that he should continue to strive, for the universe in which he lives testifies to the existence of one, infinite God. The emergence of a world of infinite blessings is just as likely as the existence of the present transitional world. How can an inherently infinite Creator be satisfied with a finite manifestation of His attributes? God, Who created all things from nought, can surely endow creation with perpetuity. Man is always searching for a world of everlasting content. This quest is quite correct and in accordance with human nature; but our dreams cannot come true in this world, for here, there cannot be an eternally perfect order. The resources needed for such a world are lacking. The Prophet taught that God has made this world one of trial and tribulation, not one of reward and retribution. The world is full of things which put man to the test, whereas the factors required for a life of everlasting delight and repose will be forthcoming only in the next world. Death divides these two worlds. Death marks the completion of the trial of man and his entrance into the world of eternity. The greatest limiting factor which man faces is death. Death nullifies all greatness in man.