"The finger of God"

Violet Ker Seymer

Having repudiated the accusation of the Pharisees who declared that he healed through Beelzebub, the chief of the devils, Jesus added, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." We ask ourselves, What is this finger of God? It is every thought which points to Life, Love, Spirit, and away from their opposites. If for one moment we mentally contemplate error as though it were real, we are looking away from Spirit to matter, away from good to evil, away from heaven to hell. Yet there is really but one true way to envisage all things; there is but one way to think, to act, to grow, to love, and that is the spiritual way. Christian Science indicates that this finger of God, good, is the power of Love, dispelling doubt and fear. It is the action of divine Principle in human consciousness, drawing it Godward. It is everything that is healthful, pure, and wise.

Speaking of the impelling power of "angels," or exalted thoughts, Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 299), "With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys;" and white is, doubtless, the symbol of purity and completeness. Are we always looking at what is true? Are we sacredly entertaining spiritual ideas, which blot out all discord?

The finger of God never points to fear, suffering, or discordant moral, mental, or physical conditions. If we give credence to these insidious whisperings of Beelzebub, are we not disregarding, disobeying, the angels of His presence? But these whispered lies hold no terror and no attraction for Truth's faithful witness. Man's tender Father-Mother entertains not a single fear for any one of His ideas. Therefore no breath of error has ever reached them from Him. Then why not hold fearlessly and incessantly to the line of thought and action which God, good, is at all times pointing out? Obviously, God entertains no fears for His own holiness, health, and safety, and spiritual man is conscious only of that which is included in Mind's omniscience. Then, if one is entertaining fears, one is not at that moment entertaining His angels. It is only falsity which engenders fear, for fear and falsity are birds of a feather. Fear is never entertained about anything spiritual, real, and eternal, and the Christian Scientist is learning to refuse hospitality to suggestions which are untrue to God and man. Mrs. Eddy writes (Poems, p. 7),

"'Twas Love whose finger traced aloud
A bow of promise on the cloud."

Are we looking at the cloud or at the bow of promise? Are we looking at physical symptoms or at apparently threatening developments of any kind? Are we being entirely faithful to what we have so far learned in Christian Science? Are we saying "Yes" to God, and "No" to error? Are we responding to every demand of divine Principle as we become aware of it? Are we watching for the finger of Love to trace the way to freedom when all seems dark? Are we thinking about spiritual man, or about imperfect mortals? Are we overcoming selfishness and self-love? As yet few, if any, students of Christian Science can reply to these questions as affirmatively as they would wish to do; but as divine desires go hand in hand with ever truer and more loving words and deeds, then God's law of progress is being obeyed, and "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

How encouraging it is that we have the footsteps of the Master to direct us at every crossroad of indecision! How would he have thought and acted under these circumstances? we ask ourselves; and to the sincere follower the divine way will always become apparent. Christ Jesus, the humble and mighty Son of God, waited on divine Principle, the same Principle which is available to everyone to-day. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 242), "The finger-posts of divine Science show the way our Master trod, and require of Christians the proof which he gave, instead of mere profession." Then, as Christ Jesus did not entertain erroneous suggestions even though sorely pressed by them, neither should we, his followers—followers of the same Principle. Christian Science teaches us to be both gentle and wise in our dealings with those who are still wayward, still swayed by the arguments of Beelzebub; still deceived by the pleasurable or painful belief in sentient matter, and still afraid of nothingness because still doubting the allness of God, good. The finger of God is never the finger of condemnation, faultfinding, or unjust criticizing: it ever points to redemption.

The Christian Scientist who is learning to reflect divine Love and to rely on God for spiritual strength, will be faithful, whatever assails him. No material tempest raging at the base of a lighthouse affects the beacon light. No storm of error causes the reflected light of divine Love to falter; and even through a mist of tears the faithful watcher looks to the finger of God to direct his way and enable him to hold steadfastly to the "new and glorified trust" revealed to him through Christian Science.

Violet Ker Seymer

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