Article July 1, 1922 Issue

Receiving Thy Sight

VIOLET KER-SEYMER

Foremost among the divine gifts to be desired and claimed is that of spiritual receptivity; for this gift brings with it the possibility of the continuous demonstration of Godlikeness. The question troubling some of us may be, What hinders our receptivity? Through the study of our Leader's Bible Lesson in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 180), fresh light is thrown on this subject by the chosen text, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," as well as on her elucidation of it. Neither human will nor materiality is capable of receiving good; for the true cannot be grafted on to the false. Any individual consenting to trace his origin to matter would be limiting his demonstration of spirituality at every turn.

The revelation of Christian Science did not reach Mrs. Eddy through the five corporeal senses, but in spite of them; for she did not allow their false testimony to hinder her deep spiritual consecration. Paul says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." What is this "natural man" but a suppositious mortal mind personified, with its obstructive beliefs of fear, doubt, discouragement, sensual pleasure, and pain? Spiritual man is entirely and consciously receptive and spiritually expressive.

Spiritual sense seeks and finds joy and inspiration at the open fount of Spirit; in the words of Isaiah, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." If we would seek the Christ, we must vanquish doubts and encumbrances of every kind. These may claim to grow subtler; for instance, the sincerest student may be tempted to listen to the silent suggestion that he is slow and unreceptive. Secretly discouraged, he may try to carry on his study without reversing this lie. Let him add to his faithful study the denial of any suggestion of lack of receptivity, on the ground that every one of Mind's ideas is endowed with spiritual receptivity, because God's creation is entirely good, "and without him was not any thing made that was made." Spiritual inspiration is the token of Love's ever-presence; and through temptation overcome, receptivity continues unhindered, and we are anointed with the "fresh oil," the renewed heavenly inspiration, referred to by the psalmist. Spiritual man, the only man, is the transparency through which God's goodness shines without let or hindrance.

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