Meekness and Might

JESSIE G. SINCLAIR

A boy who had recently joined a Christian Science Sunday School was asked what he understood the meaning of meekness to be. He promptly replied, "Weakness!" How far from the truth was that answer! Is it not through meekness one gains spiritual understanding and so individualizes spiritual power? Christian Science, which reveals meekness and humility in their true light, shows them to be positive and active—not negative and passive.

How, more particularly, are meekness and humility to be regarded? They imply the necessity of acknowledging one infinite God, one cause and creator, and man as God's expression, governed by Him alone. The false sense of meekness, as signifying a tame yielding to the aggressiveness of others, is due to ignorance, to a lack of proper recognition of God as the only Mind, and of man as at-one with Him, always ruled and cared for by Him. Men have thought that they had to push and struggle and compete with one another if they were to succeed; but Christ Jesus, with his clear spiritual vision, said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." As we habitually strive to realize that there is only one God, only one power, and that power good, we shall find that we are increasingly able to overcome the claims of evil, gradually experiencing more of good—and this without in any way injuring our neighbor.

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says on page 354 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love." Since we cannot take "the first step in Christian Science" without humility, then to gain and to express humility must be an essential qualification of each earnest student. It would seem that often it is a lack of this divine quality which prevents some seekers from accepting the good news that Christian Science brings, and which hinders the demonstration of the healing truth for one's self and for others.

Conceit and pride are the result of ignorance. They cause one to imagine that he can exit apart from God, and that he can possess something which is not shared by all God's children. This ignorance, which is due to a personal and material outlook, receives a rebuke from Paul in his words to the Corinthians, "Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" To rejoice in every expression of good, seeing in each spiritual quality a manifestation of divine Mind, is compatible with true humility; whereas, thinking that we can be or do anything of ourselves is the very reverse. Every trace of pride, rivalry, and ostentation will gradually be uncovered and destroyed through the exercise of humility, thereby clearing the way for a better realization of man as the perfect image of God. It is this realization, even in a small degree, which confers the power to do good, to help, to heal.

A striking example of the union of meekness and might is evident in the life of Moses. We read in Numbers, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." And think what this meek servant of God accomplished! Through his understanding of the power of God as Mind, he lifted his people out of slavery, giving them the Ten Commandments to keep them in the path of righteousness. And time and again he proved that the understanding of the almightiness of Spirit was equal to meeting their needs of supply and protection.

Many centuries later, Christ Jesus expressed perfect humility coupled with marvelous conscious power so that he could say, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." When one came to him and called him "Good Master," Jesus said, "There is none good but one, that is, God." His humility went hand in hand with his strength. His realization that he had no ability apart from God removed any obstructive claim of selfishness which would have hindered him from doing the things he saw the Father do. And what did he see the Father do? Giving life to His vast creation, loving it, maintaining it, governing it harmoniously! Jesus knew his spiritual selfhood to be the reflection of God, omniactive Mind; and thus he proved that God was available to meet every human need. His three years' ministry was crowded with "mighty works."

In our own time, Mrs. Eddy's character was an outstanding example of the union of meekness and might. In the Preface to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," writing of herself, she says (p. ix), "To-day, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ." This humble, eager waiting on God enabled her to do great things. It led her to discover the truths of spiritual being, which she gave to the world in her inspired writings, and which bring healing when they are understood. It also enabled her to establish the world-wide Christian Science movement, and to safeguard all its activities through the Manual of The Mother Church. The greatness of our Leader's work cannot be measured.

Gratitude towards those who have proved the value of meekness and humility, and appreciation of the wonderful achievements in the line of good which it has enabled them to accomplish, will help us in our own efforts to practice this gracious quality.

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