The Government "upon his shoulder"

Albert F. Gilmore

The shoulder as the burden bearer of mankind has long been a commonly used figure of speech. Atlas, in the ancient concept, upheld the pillars of heaven on his shoulders, and Atlas became the synonym for burden bearer. Putting one's shoulder to the wheel has come to signify the setting of one's self vigorously to work to the accomplishment of a definite purpose. The prophet Isaiah uses this figure in foretelling the joy to be experienced in the coming of Christ's kingdom. These are his words: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder." Here shoulder, as the seat of government, manifestly signifies God's assumption, through the Christ, of the righteous rule of His universe, since as the Redeemer of mankind the "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," would bear all burdens.

Apparently the prophet clearly understood God's relation to man and the universe, and mortals' great necessity to gain a like understanding, since thereby they would learn of the seat of authority and power. The tendency to assume responsibility in a personal way is almost universal. Firmly believing in the potency of their own human capabilities, arising from circumstance of birth, native endowment, education, environment, and experience, mortals arrogate to themselves responsibility for their individual careers, as well as the credit for successful accomplishments. "Self-made and proud of his maker" is more than a smart saying, for it accurately expresses the conceit of the so-called "self-made" mortal. Yet, illogically it seems, although one take to himself the credit for successes, failures are more often laid at the door of an unkind fate, to some circumstance over which it is believed one has no control. The difficulty with this line of reasoning, pro and con, is that it leaves God entirely out of consideration, and furthermore it utterly ignores the presence of His Christ, to whom Isaiah attributed such all-inclusive qualities and powers.

Christian Science is rapidly clarifying this situation, through disclosing the facts regarding God's continuous government of His universe. Men, learning that the divine power does control, are coming to recognize that they need to know how to utilize this power. To substitute God's will for mortals' vacillating desires, however, is not a task easily accomplished. The so-called mortal mind does not readily relinquish what it believes to be its attributes. The Master's words, "Not my will, but thine, be done," represent an advanced state of self-abnegation; but Christ Jesus was so keenly aware of God's presence and power and of man's relation to Him as to make perfectly apparent the futility of mortals' claim to selfhood apart from God, to personal capabilities and the assumption of responsibility.

Mrs. Eddy sets forth the situation with extraordinary clarity on page 62 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." "The divine Mind," she says, "which forms the bud and blossom, will care for the human body, even as it clothes the lily; but let no mortal interfere with God's government by thrusting in the laws of erring, human concepts." How perfectly does our Leader give expression to the beneficence of God's government of His universe when mortals leave to Him this divine prerogative! Trouble arises only when the effort is made to substitute mortals' will for God's will, human wisdom, so called, for divine.

How is God's government made manifest? By gaining an understanding of spiritual creation, of God as the divine creator of all that exists, and of the universe of spiritual ideas, including man created by divine mandate and governed by unchanging divine will. Mankind's belief in another universe, the supposititious world of matter, governed by so-called physical laws, variant and erring, is the stumbling-block to the manifestation in human affairs of God's beneficent and unchanging government. Surrendering the human sense of selfhood and knowing the ever-presence of infinite good and the harmonious operation of divine law break the claim of mortal selfhood and material law. In the affairs of men, personal or otherwise, the government to be harmonious must be God's. Already the proof is complete that when mortals, individually, look to divine Love with the earnest desire to do God's bidding—to manifest in the daily round of experience only divine qualities—harmony, prosperity, and happiness invariably ensue.

Equally practical is the Christianizing of national ideals when once they are put upon the basis of spiritual understanding. A beginning has been made, and as men bend their desires unceasingly toward this goal, selfishness and greed will give place to generosity and good-will, expressed in terms of international amity. Then the mighty Counselor, the Prince of Peace, will reign in the hearts of men and the brotherhood of man will be realized.

Albert F. Gilmore

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit