Article April 27, 1929 Issue

Right Persistence

KATE W. BUCK

Many who are earnestly seeking the way of the Christ, Truth, often become discouraged because it seems to them that their progress is slow. It is true that when one glimpses the eternal fact that the power of God is ever present and that it is the only real power, one longs to know all about it immediately and to drop everything else at once. While some may gain such an inspirational sense of the healing truth that they are able quickly to meet their own difficulties and the troublous beliefs of others, yet faithful application of what we know of the truths that Jesus taught requires persistent effort, until it becomes habitual to think rightly about every situation that presents itself.

Only the Master did this perfectly; and undoubtedly there were years of preparation behind his marvelous, and yet divinely natural, public ministry. Mary Baker Eddy also, who earnestly followed the Christ, Truth, had years of trying experiences before she was able to give to the world, in such a form that it could be studied and practically applied, her inspired interpretation of the life and works of the master Christian.

Every idealist who is loyal to his ideals is compelled to keep his goal always before him and allow nothing to swerve him from the accomplishment of his high purpose. Delays, hardships, interference, the sadness of being misunderstood, often attend the footsteps of those who strive to vanquish the false and establish the true. This was exemplified in the life of Jesus; for when he cast out devils, they cried out at his approach, "Let us alone; ... art thou come to destroy us?" and hatred and suspicion were engendered in the futile struggle of seeming evil to substantiate itself. This condition of things generally appears when something new and better than the present regime is finding place and recognition. Mortal mind does not wish to be disturbed by something different; the old order suffices, and any innovation evokes resistance. So when an individual begins to look toward spiritual truths and desires to attain them, willing to leave the old erroneous beliefs for the perfection of God and the man of His creating, the customary standards and mortal opinions clamor for their very existence. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 26), "All have the cup of sorrowful effort to drink;" but she also teaches courageous expectancy of good as the only true heritage and shows that to "press toward the mark for the prize" of perceiving, knowing, and manifesting good only is worth any sacrifice.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Right Persistence

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access