Proving Right Place

The human or mortal mind is very apt to desire a change of surroundings when unpleasant conditions exist, conditions which call for patience and forbearance, either in the home or in business affairs. It may be that there is some one seemingly hard to get along with, or there may be dissatisfaction with the work to be done or with a thousand and one things in daily experience, which is the thorn. We very often hear it said that a new home or a different position or a certain thing which seems good is in the process of demonstration; that it is right to have such and such a thing; that, as a Christian Scientist one is entitled to this, or that, as the case may be. When outlining this place or that condition to be obtained, one is expressing just another phase of the carnal mind, which Paul tells us is enmity against God. When one is tempted to seek change from present surroundings, it would be well to stop and consider what is back of the desire. If it is belief in an adverse condition, or if there is a human sense of running away from one's surroundings, one may as well stop where he is and face the lion in the path. A position or condition is not changed except as thought is changed, no matter how often the change takes place in human experience. The fact is, man already has all; the only place or position there is or could possibly be, is already attained, and man, the idea of Mind, is sustained in consciousness, the dwelling place of all true creation. In God "we live, and move, and have our being," the Scriptures remind us.

Consciousness of good is all the true consciousness there is, either in the home or in business, and where the error called unpleasant surroundings is claiming reality, right there the kingdom of God is, right there the true idea reigns, right there, then, it is man's privilege to prove that home or position is in consciousness and is harmoniously sustained by the one and only Mind. Unless the things left behind are seen in this light, one cannot hope to find the true sense of home or position expressed in the so-called change. In the very place where one finds himself to be, right there is the consciousness of all that there is. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 66), "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." She also says on page 454, "Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way." When this is realized, change will not be sought because of problems to be solved, and which may prove to be angels entertained, but the adverse conditions will be seen for what they are and be overcome by the truth. We have no greater illustration of proving place than that furnished by Jesus when the news of Lazarus' death was brought to him. We read in the eleventh chapter of John that "he abode two days still in the same place where he was." That the place of abode to him was divine consciousness we have ample proof by what took place when he stood before the tomb and loosed Lazarus from the graveclothes of materiality. Progress is the law of Mind, and one who is expressing this Mind in his daily living need have no fear that he is standing still, for he can trust God to bring into his life that which is most needful for his progress. On page 266 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "When this hour of development comes, even if you cling to a sense of personal joys, spiritual Love will force you to accept what best promotes your growth."

When one has ceased planning which is futile, and when the sense testimony has been silenced, then and only then is he ready to leave all to Mind to be unfolded. Awakened thought unfolds in the light of Mind even as a rose unfolds in the spring rains and sunshine. So often in our Wednesday evening meetings we hear it said that man's extremity has been God's opportunity to prove the ever presence of Mind's care and loving-kindness, and to prove that the true kingdom, of which there is no end, is established.