Article April 30, 1921 Issue

Seeking a Situation

GEOFFREY HAMLYN

ONE of the first things we learn in Christian Science in seeking a situation is, paradoxical as it may seem, not to seek one; that is to say, one particular situation. By this it is not meant that we should not seek employment; what is meant is that we should be careful lest we outline exactly what the employment is to be. God has the proper place, the proper work for all; too often, however, mortals are unwilling to seek the divine guidance, but first decide what they want, then find fault with God if they do not get it. This is merely another way of saying that they let self-will take charge of them and that they count on self-will to do what they feel that God is unwilling or unable to do. What, then, is the way to seek a situation? In the first place let us put aside all self-will and be ready to do what divine Love may require of us. It is the teaching of Christian Science that man is Mind's idea, one with Mind, reflecting Mind, reflecting the divine will. Self-will, the will that believes it knows what it wants and means to get it, is merely an expression of the carnal mind, and when it claims to hold sway the divine guidance which brings harmony seems lost. The belief in self-will is the mistaken claim of a will apart from the one omnipotent will, and as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 537), "Error excludes itself from harmony." Only as the individual puts aside human will and seeks the divine guidance can harmony result. This, then, is the first step, and the most important one. In fact, one might almost say it is the only step necessary, were it not for the general belief in limitation.

In these days of widespread unemployment there are many, no doubt, who would be willing to undertake any work that might be offered them, but to whom no offer of work is made. Here Christian Science comes to remind us that God is indeed "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Limitation is based on belief in the reality of matter, on unwillingness to accept the testimony of the senses at any other than its face value, and as long as the individual persists in this attitude the chances of his seeing the true opening for him are small. It is well to remember, however, that what are known as the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth constituted one long series of reversals of the testimony of the physical senses, and we have his assurance that those who believe on him, understand him, shall do the works that he did. We see, therefore, that we cannot accept this testimony and that instead we must know that our loving Father-Mother, the divine, omniscient, and omnipresent Mind, has just the proper place, the proper work for each of us, and that the knowing of this fact will dispel the false evidence of the material senses; for Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Free from what? Obviously from that which is false—from a mistaken sense of things. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." That was the burden of the Master's gospel or good news, and we may be sure that there is no lack in the kingdom of heaven, any more than there is sin or sickness or death. The fact is that the world has been mesmerized by the testimony of the material senses, and Christian Science has come to free it from their thralldom and to reveal the harmony of God's kingdom, present here and now.

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