True Service

MAUD TINER

True service expresses divine activity; it necessitates the bringing of the qualities of God into our daily experience. An honest effort, a kind deed, or a worthy act is true service. With right desire one can serve God. There never was a material condition or a human circumstance able to thwart an honest effort to serve Him. When we love God, there is always the way to serve Him, since constant right thinking must and does find expression in daily deeds. And in the proportion that we serve God, or express good, do we experience good. The channels of usefulness are innumerable, their resources infinite; and opportunity is ever present. So, to do whatever good is at hand joyfully, gladly, and willingly is unselfed service. Such is service of highest quality, because it glorifies God and blesses man!

Our work is where we are, though sometimes we are tempted to believe that we could do better work in some other field, or that a present place or condition is hindering our progress. We have only to turn to the Bible to find ample proof that this cannot be true. For example, Daniel felt secure in the lions' den; it was there he gained his dominion and freedom over envy and hate. John saw the revelation while exiled on the Isle of Patmos; and our Master made his mighty demonstration over death while in the tomb, when even his own disciples believed him to be buried in matter. Whether, therefore, one seems to be in the lions' den or exiled, right there he can feel safe, gain vision, and resurrect his thought: he can work mentally where he is. If he is journeying in the valley of human experience he can take heart, for the flowers of thought may grow and bloom in the valley as on the higher land. We can work and serve wherever Truth finds us.

Real service and progress go hand in hand; they cannot be separated. If we are striving to bring out perfection in our work, we are sure to progress; though sometimes one is tempted to believe that he is not progressing, not growing, and is not going forward. This argument, if listened to, would tend to keep one from being actively interested in his work. When this temptation comes we have only to remember the lesson of Moses—to know that this argument is not a fact of being; for did not Moses leave the courts of Egypt and become a simple sheep herder? Was not this retrogression according to material evidence and the human sense of things? God's way, however, is not human, but divine. While performing this humble task Moses gained the moral courage, the patience and spiritual strength, which later enabled him to lead the children of Israel out of bondage. He was faithful over the few things, and was made ruler over many.

When one has outgrown anything mentally the outward manifestation disappears. One needs only to be freed from the belief that seems to bind him to unpleasant surroundings. If one, where he is, is conscientious in what he does, he is surely working for God and giving true service. He puts joy into his work. Neither dissatisfaction nor failure can enter a glad heart. Gratitude heals all false concepts of service. The task is not menial, if the heart sings a silent prayer of praise and gratitude while the work is being done.

Mrs. Eddy tells us in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 195), "To do good to all because we love all, and to use in God's service the one talent that we all have, is our only means of adding to that talent and the best way to silence a deep discontent with our shortcomings." A vital statement, vibrant with hope and courage, and a call to active service! As one's thought expands, he takes in larger views and expresses them in action; he thinks in universal terms, and gains a larger sense of his work; he does the Father's will by practicing or making practical what he knows and understands of good; he expresses patience, diligence, and perseverance in his work. In the measure that this is done is he giving real service.

The reward of right serving is peace. In Isaiah we read, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." Could the promise be more inclusive? Right thinking is the gateway to this peace, and Christian Science teaches us how to think rightly. Mary Baker Eddy gave to the world a rich legacy when she gave it the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which teaches one how to think rightly. Men ever have had and ever will have the God-given ability to choose their thinking if they would use it. Holy thoughts bring us peace where we are, even while at work, and regardless of the name or nature of this work. Peace is the natural fruitage of work well done; hence, the righteous reward of true service.

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