Opportunities Mind Bids Us Accept

OLIVE HILDRETH MAYER

While making a first mental survey of a confronting problem, it is sometimes difficult to include thoughts of gratitude for an opportune season in which to contend against error. Frequently we seem prompted to interrogate ourselves as to the reason for such a trial having entered into our experience. We have done our metaphysical work faithfully, seeking to know and to do God's will, yet quite abruptly we are brought face to face with that which calls for a more consecrated application of Christian Science, the one great solvent of every difficulty. It is not always easy under such circumstances joyfully to accept this new labor, and to perceive the opportunities for further growth which perhaps await us through a new and exacting test at the point at which our faith and affection lie.

When Jesus was apprised concerning the report of Lazarus' illness, he immediately refuted the claim that there could be the slightest degree of truth in the argument for death; and he quickly saw, and pointed out to his followers, the opportunity for glorifying God through the healing and revivifying power of the Christ. We read, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Here was at once a direct affirmation of Mind's invincibility, a definite appreciation of the occasion to rise higher in the field of demonstration, and a statement which shone with the holy light of gratitude for the privilege of proving to the waiting multitude the omnipotence of the Father.

On page 571 of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy admonishes us, "Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil." Is it, then, for us to say where or at what time we shall make our greatest demonstrations and be of most service to the Father in feeding His lambs?

One evening not long ago, a talk upon present-day business conditions was delivered over the radio. It came to the attention of a Christian Scientist in the radio audience who was at that time striving to meet a stubborn physical claim. In dealing with the present financial depression, the speaker pronounced these words: "If people would consult the condition of the stock market less, overcome their fear, and learn to keep their eyes open for the good opportunities which come to them, conditions would improve." The listener suddenly began to think very intently. It was as though she had made a discovery, as indeed she had, for through hearing these words she had discovered what had been wrong with her thought concerning the problem which she sought to solve. The message from the speaker had certainly not been intended as such, but nevertheless it had led her toward a much-needed lesson in Christian Science. The market which she had been steadily consulting was that of mortal sense testimony. Her thought had been centered on whether or not the physical condition to be met seemed to be yielding. But what was it that seemed to cause this condition, since matter possessed not the slightest substance, sensation, or reality? Mortal mind was undeniably this mythical cause. Then how could an improved bodily condition possibly appear until this backward process of reasoning was reversed? A happy and healed consciousness, directed and corrected by divine Mind, must surely come before the result thereof could be delineated upon the body.

The listener also found that she had been wondering whether it was not indeed strange that such a tenacious form of error should have seemed to present itself. But now she clearly saw that by keeping mentally alert to the opportunity for glorifying God, and by maintaining the indisputable dominion of Mind, physical "conditions would improve."

This new view brought with it a more thorough realization of our Leader's words (ibid., p. 492): "All is Mind and Mind's idea. You must fight it out on this line. Matter can afford you no aid." Since Mind is All, then there followed the duty and joy of proving the ascendancy of Mind, and of disregarding matter and its accompanying falsehoods. Such an awakening could only be attended with victory.

Our Master gives us a firm yet loving command: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He reminds us that it is necessary to ask, knowing that we shall receive. The attaining of spiritual understanding is indispensable to right living. But in order that we may truly knock upon and enter at the strait gate of the kingdom of heaven, our continual yearning and deep desire must be for that growth which comes to us alone through demonstration.

In our textbook (Science and Health, p. 520) we find this infallible rule: "Growth is the eternal mandate of Mind." Then, may we not attest our endeavors to enter into perpetual Godward progression by bringing Mind's perfect manifestation to the perception of mankind through meek and undimming gratitude for those opportunities for spiritual attainment which divine Mind gently bids us accept?

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