Article October 2, 1926 Issue

"No driven prophet"

THEODORA HARNEY

A Magazine once contained a very interesting article in regard to the reading of the Bible, in which the author brought out clearly the difference in the attitude manifested by some of the early prophets and Jesus, when called by God to be messengers of Truth. While these prophets eventually yielded to the demands made upon them by God, it was only after great hesitation and the making of many excuses, and after aparently severe struggles, that they became willing and happy instruments in the hand of God. With Christ Jesus it was different. The article in referring to Jesus reads: "God has found expression in a son—no driven prophet—who asks for nothing better than to point out the way of love for human hearts and wills." "No driven prophet"! The beautiful life of Jesus, his loving and patient obedience to God, knew no sense of being driven!

Christian Scientists need to watch tht they be not "driven prophets," if they would be happy and worthy exponents of Truth. How many of us are always ready to say, in the words of Isaiah, a prophet of the Old Testament who did not hesitate, "Here am I; send me"? How easy it is to stop and weigh the situation humanly, wondering if it is really necessary to put self aside to such or such an extent! How tempted one is to find so many very good reasons why he should not be called upon to do such difficult things! But can it be possible that God would ask one to sacrifice self so completely? The answer must be in the affirmative; for the rule in Christian Science is that we shall lay down all selfishness in our endeavor to serve Christ, Truth. Are we to give up just a part of this false sense of self then? The rule demands that we give up all of it.

One readily sees that this may not be accomplished in a moment; but willingness to obey the rule just as rapidly as one is capable of doing so, will surely speed the progress of the individual. Then he will find by experience that the laying down of self is not the difficult task error would like to have him believe. It is the unwillingness to lay it down which causes the suffering. The reward of understanding God, which results from self-abnegation, is satisfying beyond measure. One could not ask for or receive anything greater than such clear understanding. Certainly there can be no place for a "driven prophet" in the joyful, natural way of progress which is the heritage of every child of God.

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