God's way

Doreen Joffe

As I fly north from South Africa up the blue Atlantic along the continent’s edge, I rejoice in the evidence of God’s great goodness, His “wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalms 107:8).

Because of a long-standing British Airways strike, all my airline’s flights out of Johannesburg had been cancelled. The alternative outbound airline was heavily booked ahead, leaving only a thin possibility that I could fly to London in three or four days—not in time to get to Boston to attend my association meeting (an annual meeting of students of a Christian Science teacher).

But, I reasoned, divine Principle would not have one of His little ones too late for a needed engagement. Love is the divine way, always. I could follow God’s direction right there and then—no need to be in a particular location to experience omnipresent Spirit. Isaiah says that the Lord “maketh a way in the sea, and . . . a way in the wilderness” (43:16, 19). I surely couldn’t be prevented from being where I needed to be.

Some new ideas flowed into my expectant thought, and I followed up with a phone call to the alternative airline, willing to explore any avenue, with quiet confidence in God. The reservations manager himself searched for other indirect flights with some transfers and long layovers, and suggested trying for standby and waiting at airports. But these suggestions would not get me to Boston in time for the association meeting, and I wanted to recognize the divine law impelling the whole purpose of my trip by being obedient to the Church Manual: Associations “shall convene annually” (p. 84).

I thanked the manager for his efforts to help. They were to me acknowledgments of the activity of Mind’s infinite ideas, presenting promises and pointing to the path through the wilderness. Then, just as I put down the phone, it rang. My own airline now offered a seat on my flight after all! The agent couldn’t explain it, but she was so happy that she cried (perhaps because she had had an emotional few weeks, apologizing to zillions of customers for the strike). I comforted her and she was relieved, saying it fortified her for the complaining clients ahead. I heard myself saying that the strike need not continue another moment. I was feeling honestly that my own breakthrough presaged something bigger.

Now, I’m sitting contentedly in my seat as the plane soars in the sun. An announcement comes through the intercom system: “The British Airways strike is broken. A compromise has been attained.” A cheer goes up! It’s so clear to me that with divine Love at the helm there is a proper path for all. Christian Science is that pure universal “Science that operates unspent,” to use Mary Baker Eddy’s inspired phrase (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 353).

I had been praying during the weeks leading up to the association, while daily the news headlines were reporting on the airline strike. I felt unperturbed, uncomplaining, “prayed up.” And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the subject for our study assignment in preparation for Association Day was “Love’s divine way, all the way.” It was an example of God’s meeting our needs—just as He did on Association Day, which was alight with love.

—Doreen Joffe, Santa Barbara, California

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