Assurance
IT was during the morning "rush hour." Automobiles were moving fast in both directions; street cars were appearing at frequent intervals, filled with passengers on their way to business. To cross the street in the midst of all this traffic seemed an impossibility. A group of little children on their way to school stood at the curb waiting for an opportunity to pass to the other side. They did not seem disturbed at the seeming impossibility of crossing the street, but waited patiently for a moment or two at the corner. Presently a police officer appeared and, clasping the hand of the little girl nearest him, led the children safely to the other side. After thanking the officer, they proceeded on their way. Such childlike trust and confidence was urged by Jesus as necessary to win the kingdom of heaven, harmony. He said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus came representing the law of God, the law of universal good, of Love, Truth, and Life, the law of divine Principle. Thus, he spoke "as one having authority;" and that is why his words are as potent to-day as they were when he walked the shores of Galilee. Jesus came preaching and demonstrating the ever-presence of God and showing that the only way to health, happiness, peace, and success, the only way to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, is through attaining that state of consciousness which reflects "quietness and assurance for ever." This state of consciousness is reached by an understanding of the true nature of God, man, and the universe.
Christian Science, as revealed by its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, has come to establish that understanding by unlocking the treasures of Truth contained in the Bible. It is not something new; nor does it claim to create anything new. On the contrary, Christian Science is bringing to humanity joy and hope by revealing God's creation as it really is,—perfect, harmonious, and eternal,—and man as the image and likeness of God.
God being infinite good, omnipotent and omnipresent, there is and can be only good in store for His children. When we fully realize that good is the only power and reality, and cling steadfastly to the fact that man is not person, but idea, the likeness of divine Love, having dominion over all the earth, reflecting health, in that proportion we are bringing ourselves into the kingdom of heaven here and now. Thus are we exercising faith, confidence, and assurance in God's ability and willingness to guide, guard, sustain, and protect each and all of His ideas.
Many people go through the world mentally divided against themselves. They wonder whether they are in their right place or position, whether they are making right decisions on this matter or that—wonder, in fact, whether anything is as important really as it appears to be. Instinctively they wait for some assurance; and what more can one ask for than that beautiful Scriptural admonition: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Jesus possessed this assurance of God's ever-presence and availability; and it was so apparent that even his very presence brought peace, confidence, and assurance to those in whose midst he was. The woman who came to him to be healed knew that if she could but touch the hem of his garment she would be made whole, even as the centurion who said to him, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." The Bible contains many a striking proof of the power that supreme conviction and assurance carry.
It has been said that no important truth can be impressed upon the thought of the people by being said only once; that it needs to be repeated in countless ways. We find Jesus illustrating the same central thought in various parables. Thus he was constantly telling his hearers that the kingdom of God is within us; that His kingdom is joy, and His rule love. This was the very basis of his teaching and healing, and he knew the necessity of bringing the point home from every angle. And so we find in his parables that he likens God to a shepherd seeking out the lost sheep; the father rejoicing over the return of his prodigal son; a king forgiving his debtors and admonishing them to forgive in return. The conclusion must therefore be drawn that God is not a God of wrath, or a stern judge, or a vain king, who must be flattered and bribed into extending mercy, but that God is the kind, loving, joyous Father, the true friend and companion.
This same teaching is to-day raising up thousands from belief in the reality of sickness, sin, sorrow, limitation, poverty, and fear by establishing, through the spiritual understanding which Christian Science gives, an abiding faith, hope, trust, and assurance in the boundless abundance of God and His infinite resources.
When the beliefs of mortal mind confront us with such seeming reality that we hardly know which way to turn, let us do as did the little children on their way to school—stand and know God's loving and protecting care. Thus shall we see the way clearly opening up before us. When we have been safely guided through what has seemed a trying experience, let us not forget to give thanks for His protection and guidance.
Christian Science is truly a message of hope and joy, of assurance of man's ability to overcome every discordant condition by a true, demonstrable understanding of the nature and quality of God. It is carrying its message, proclaiming as did the angel to the prophet shepherds, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
What are these "good tidings of great joy" but the understanding of the omnipotence and omnipresence of good, the unreality and powerlessness of evil, sin, sickness, and death, the understanding that God is divine Mind, and that Mind is infinite, boundless, limitless, exhaustless? What a glorious heritage is ours, that "now are we the sons of God;" that all good is here and now, and is ours in the proportion that we will accept it!
The entire world to-day is seeking the assurance of everlasting peace and tranquillity, immunity from war and pestilence; and this will be realized in national and international affairs only as each individual is letting good dominate his thinking. The outward condition is always the manifestation of our thinking, and therefore peace and harmony will be realized only as we seek to establish them within. Mortals find themselves in the position or environment which they have mentally fitted themselves to occupy. Therefore health, happiness, peace, and success can be brought about only as we establish in consciousness the abiding faith and trust in God's power to heal every discordant condition.
In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 69 ), "Spiritually to understand that there is but one creator, God, unfolds all creation, confirms the Scriptures, brings the sweet assurance of no parting, no pain, and of man deathless and perfect and eternal." This spiritual understanding, this message of joy, hope, and love, is truly bringing to the world the prophecy of Isaiah: "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."
Copyright, 1926, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.
