Green Pastures

ETHEL COMBS LUENING

THOUSANDS of individuals now testify to the world, by happy countenances and lives, that they have found and touched the unfailing source which meets every need—that they have begun to know God as taught in Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy has illumined the living truths of the Bible for all time through her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which contains the pure and complete statement of this Science.

The "green pastures" spoken of in the twenty-third Psalm may be regarded as symbolizing the constancy and completeness of our Father's care, the progressive realization of perfect God, perfect man, and perfect universe. Green pastures in human experience are resting places for refreshment and encouragement, and they are to be found all along the way of Christian Science. Therein we may pause after a victory over error, and in gratitude look on the progress made before going forward with greater expectations.

In the truth of being can there exist a lie of any sort? Can there be illness, sin, or death, since God, perfect Mind, has created and maintains His creation in perfection? Can there be lack of intelligence, since God, the only Mind, is reflected by man? Can there be unfair or unjust dealing, since man is at one with Principle? Can there be loss of substance, since man coexists with ever operative good, and is ever manifesting divine wisdom?

It is our part to have that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus;" to look away from materiality, from the maze of human theories which lead but to confusion, and to see that our heavenly Father is able and willing to lead us into green pastures of peace, protection, and inspiration. We must learn to accept more of good through perception of the existence which is always being blessed.

In our textbook we read (p. 66), "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." Those who have felt, even in a slight degree, the power of divine Love, can rejoice even before the destruction of an evil is humanly seen, even while the human outlook may still be dark. Gratitude for the reality of harmony deals an effective blow at the deception of discord. Gratitude brings us to the realization of that divine energy before which nothing unlike good can stand. No matter how distorted is the picture painted by wrong thinking, let us sing of bright skies until Truth floods our consciousness with true light.

The healing influence of divine Mind can be seen in its application to every phase of living, bringing more joy into our homes, teaching better morals and manners to our children, improving our business affairs, destroying undesirable traits of character, annulling false beliefs of heredity, bringing protection in all situations. Faith put into practice brings progress in Christian Science, and we shall find that we are able not only to help ourselves, but also to free our brothers; and such deep joy this brings!

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