Article May 19, 1928 Issue

Protection and Freedom through Obedience

LILLIEN MARY LAWRIE

In Deuteronomy we read: "And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken." The fulfillment of this promise is what we all are striving for. We are longing to be within the protection of the kingdom of heaven—to enjoy all that is good, joyous, and satisfying, to be free from all erroneous conditions. But, in order to "go in and possess the good land,"—to enjoy good, to have the promise fulfilled in us and feel the divine protection and freedom,—we must obey the command to "do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord." Obedience to that which is good and right is, therefore, the first step towards this much desired goal.

Obedience may be defined as willingness to bring our problems into line with the true facts of being; and in proportion to our obedience are we protected—freed from the wants and woes of material sense. As Christian Scientists we are daily learning how to be more and still more obedient. Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has said (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 149, 150): "Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance."

This passage has often sustained the writer in times of apparent loss. When from a human standpoint she knew not which way to turn or what step to take next, she turned to talk with God, asking Him, in His infinite wisdom, to guide her whither He would, knowing that it is man's birthright to receive all good. With so full a trust in God, fear disappeared, and the way was illumined. In the most natural way she found herself healed of sorrow, and her life filled with a satisfying sense of peace that brought happiness. She learned that in not attempting to plan for herself, but in leaving it to the dear Father-Mother God to unfold the way for her, and walking obediently therein, step by step, she had been protected and spared many heartaches and disappointments and had, instead, enioved a sense of freedom.

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