Article April 14, 1923 Issue

Consecration

LUCY H. REYNOLDS

A Consecrated life is generally considered to be one that is set apart for a noble purpose, abstaining from worldly affairs and human pleasures. But real consecration is far more than this; for one may be removed from worldly environment and still think worldly thoughts, be possessed of materialistic desires and tendencies that are merely suppressed, not overcome. To be truly consecrated is to dedicate consciousness to the contemplation and demonstration of Truth, to make it a temple of sanctified, calm, and orderly thought, wherein love abides. Thus, consecration is a condition of thought, enabling one to rise above the general miasma of materialistic thinking into the realm of pure Mind, to dwell there in sweetest meditation upon eternal truths.

Such consecration makes for clear vision, sweeps mentality clean of evil, idle thinking, lays the human self upon the altar, and glorifies God. Ceasing to let thought dwell upon persons and personal affairs, or upon objects of sense, true consecration does not require us to draw apart from our fellow-men, but rather to withdraw from erroneous thinking about them. Serene, gentle, though firm, consecration draws her holy life from uplifted aspirations and singleness of purpose, giving spiritual joy and peace to those who love her, and sharing with them her secrets of revelation and understanding.

The possibilities for good which consecration offers are infinite; yet, in the mad rush of human endeavor, how strangely prone we are to pass her by until a more convenient season. "I am too busy," argues mortal mind, "to think about spiritual things. Human demands require too much of my time." But is this true? Whether occupied at home, in business, or merely walking along the street, since we are continually thinking about something, why should we not in the midst of human affairs more naturally think definitely of the things of God than of the things of matter, and as easily, in going about our business, sing silently a hymn or two as to permit thought to brood sluggishly over the "may-be's" or "might-have-been's"? To be conscious of God, who is present wherever we are, is always possible, whatever we are doing. How untrue, then, the excuse that we are too busy to do our right mental work! Nay, our interests are too often occupied with the passing show of mortal experience, our thoughts too intent upon sin and sickness to give intelligent attention to spiritual truths.

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