Improving Moments

Violet Ker Seymer

In her article "Improve Your Time" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 230) our Leader writes, "Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing." In the same passage she also enumerates the various ways in which time may be wasted. According to the character of his thinking one is every moment increasing, or retarding, his spiritual awakening.

Properly utilized, what mortals call a moment becomes a factor in unfolding the vision of eternality, illimitable good, everlasting harmony. How precious a privilege it is to dedicate to Truth, by true thinking, to Love, in universal loving-kindness, to Life, in pure living, every moment throughout each day; to form each morning the prayerful resolve that our consciousness shall remain true to the highest good we know, so that the evening hour may find us consciously nearer the demonstration of spiritual dominion, and more definitely doing the healing works of Christian Science!

Through increased spiritual understanding the hidden ways of evil are laid bare, and the effort to stand faithfully by God's requirements may entail a sharp struggle, leading to certain victory. In the midst of a pagan people, Isaiah upheld the righteous standard revealed to him by divine Mind and echoed God's loving call to safety: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." Every moment Love is all-powerful and is consciously reflected by man. Every moment, therefore, error is powerless, and nonextant in true consciousness. Every moment is to be utilized in proving the nothingness of material temptations. In the experience of one who has turned to Christian Science there should never be a moment of panic, for Life is God, and Life's reflection coexists with Spirit, the one creator. As we remain mentally faithful to the fundamental spiritual fact of the one Mind and one Life, mortal temptations will be overpast and, moment by moment, spiritual fidelity will be rewarded. Thus moments which mortal mind and material so-called laws may call critical will not have been wasted, or faithlessly turned over to the enemy. They will have been improved in bearing instant and constant witness to Truth alone.

Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 93), "Nothing is more fatal than to indulge a sinning sense or consciousness for even one moment." How much wiser it is obediently to protect ourselves from taking the wrong step, than first to yield to temptation and then painfully retrace the temporarily lost ground! Throughout her writings our Leader repeatedly enjoins Christian Scientists to guard their thoughts, to be a law unto themselves, to use the preventive art, to hold thought steadfastly to that which is enduring, good, and true; and so express and rejoice in man's atonement with his Maker. Is not Love's reflection always safe, and satisfied? Reflection is remedial, and available moment by moment. Spiritual reflection is the sure and only way of demonstration.

Christ Jesus accomplished his great works among the children of men because his thoughts were lifted above discord, and reposed in Truth and Love. To him the Father's vineyard was everywhere, and Christ the husbandman. The vine and the branches, he said, must ever abide as one; for so only could the fruitage of the branches be assured. Speaking of the vineyard, Isaiah writes, "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." Every moment, Mind's idea is unhurt and safe in Mind. Every moment, Love is pouring forth living waters of inspiration and joy. Every moment, the wellspring of Life is at hand to refresh, to strengthen, to nourish each idea of Mind night and day; that is, moment by moment, throughout eternity. What need, then, for one who has turned to Christian Science for healing in sickness, for comfort in sorrow, for redemption from sin, to doubt the coming day, or to dread the night hours? The promise stands, "I will keep it night and day." Nothing exists but God and His reflection; and in this reflection quietness is found.

From divine Mind emanate no prodigal thoughts, straying from the Father's house, wandering away from Love's consciousness, for the Mother-Love holds all in remembrance and harmony. Paul discerned this when he said, "Then shall I know even as also I am known." Spiritual man has no sense through which he can be made afraid, or rendered sick or sinful; his spiritual sense cognizes only the harmony of God and His universe.

Mindful moment by moment of immortal being, in which there is neither youth nor age, the Christian Scientist finds so-called time melting into eternity, and he begins to see that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years." Each moment is blessed through just this remembrance that the true thinker is now and forever living in Truth, not in time; in Spirit, not in matter; in Love, not in fear. Eternal good is now; and now is the time to prove it.

Violet Ker Seymer

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit