Article February 6, 1926 Issue

The Way Out

ALMA JENKINS

Surely one of the most subtle and discouraging suggestions that can come to one in his journey heavenward is that he has been trapped, placed in circumstances from which there is no way of escape, no way out. Such a suggestion would certainly have come to Moses at the Red Sea, to Daniel in the lions' den, and to the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, if they had not so surely known God's presence. If our consciousness be likewise filled with thoughts of Love's ever-presence and omnipotent protection, we too shall make each untoward circumstance an occasion to prove that "the very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares," as Mrs. Eddy points out on page 574 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures."

Have we made an honest effort to find our right place in business, the place which gives us opportunity for true service? And do we then find ourselves in some situation where it seems impossible to express the good that has already been revealed to us? If so, we may be sure that we have not continued long enough to look patiently and persistently to divine Love for guidance. As we continue to work and pray, we may find we have been influenced not only by an honest desire to serve, but also by some impatient motive of self-will, by the personal opinions of others, or by some uncorrected latent human ambition or outlining. In spite of this we may still hold confidingly to the promise in Exodus, "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Then we shall be alert to use each moment's experience as a stepping-stone toward the place which God has indeed prepared for us, in the meantime doing helpful, compassionate, healing work right where we are. When we have attained this humbled, chastened consciousness, we may rest assured that either the discordant conditions will be corrected, or we ourselves shall be placed in a purer atmosphere in which to glorify God.

Have we tried long and earnestly to bring out harmony and love in the home with the members of our own family; and do we in return seem to meet with only misunderstanding, ingratitude, criticism, or perhaps even hatred? We may not solve the problem by seeking other human surroundings, in a different locality. Indeed, through these very trials we may learn to free ourselves from a mistaken sense of human ties, and thus we may be led up to the understanding of that great and tender relationship which Jesus pointed out when he said, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." When we ourselves are free enough from sensitiveness and self-centeredness, which are but false claims of personal sense, we shall inevitably reflect to those in the office, the social gathering, and the church, as well as in the home, the peace and joy of true brotherhood. It is true that others may not recognize the source of this leavening influence, but we shall be more secure in the knowledge that in all places and for all God's children "the eternal God is thy dwelling-place." Then our home ties will no longer mean dominating or being dominated, however subtle the guise, but we shall be free to express ever broadening love for all mankind, in which our nearest and dearest are included.

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