The Right Place

ETHELL M. MC CANDLESS

THE problem of finding one's right place and environment is one which concerns all mankind. In the midst of worldwide turmoil and economic distress, Christian Science operates as a divine influence in human affairs, drawing men irresistibly toward God. It offers the only solution to the perplexing questions which are claiming the attention of the world. Working from the basis of a perfect God, and man as His image and likeness, it corrects and heals erroneous and discordant conditions of every sort.

Man as the image or reflection of God, infinite Mind, is inseparable from his divine origin or creator. He moves in perfect accord with his Maker, and is governed by divine law, which gives him spontaneity, strength, and power; hence he is not subject to human agencies or influences over which he has no control.

Since man is inseparable from God as divine image, he is conscious of nothing but good. And because God is infinite, His reflection, man, is unlimited in divine unfoldment. In the boundless realm of Mind there is perpetual and enduring activity. Spiritual ideas are buoyant and free.

Everyone can avail himself of the limitless possibilities of infinite Mind by claiming and reflecting divine intelligence, which belongs to man as the reflection of divine Mind. On page 469 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "It [intelligence] is the primal and eternal quality of infinite Mind." Therefore, man governed by divine intelligence cannot make a mistake. Nor can he lack anything needful; for God is Love, the compassionate Father-Mother Love, who is eternally caring for and bestowing all that He is and has on His creation. And we have just as much of the substance of Love as we practice and reflect.

If one is troubled over the question of finding his proper place and harmonious environment, it is helpful to ponder God's message to Moses at Mount Horeb, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." And Mrs. Eddy throws much light on this passage in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 341): "Do human hopes deceive? is joy a trembler? Then, weary pilgrim, unloose the latchet of thy sandals; for the place whereon thou standest is sacred. By that, you may know you are parting with a material sense of life and happiness to win the spiritual sense of good." When we glimpse the great fact that man is ever in the presence of God, then indeed does every place become "holy ground" to us. We begin to see that the place where we are is the right place, and we are ready for progress. There is a reason why we are where we are, and when we have patiently and lovingly accomplished whatever there is to do we shall be ready for the next step. Yes! the place where we are is always a holy place, for divine Love is there, and we feel its healing presence as we lovingly yield to its leading and pray that the Father may use us for His glory.

In her poem "Laus Deo!" written for the laying of the corner stone of The Mother Church, Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 400) :

"Laus Deo, night star-lit
Slumbers not in God's embrace;
Be awake;
Like this stone, be in thy place:
Stand, not sit."

This is a clear call for us to be alert and awake to the demands of the hour, ready to respond to any call for constructive service which may come to us. Every Christian Scientist has a lamp in his hand. Some weary one may be watching and waiting for the beam which spiritual light alone can shed. Let us keep these lamps trimmed and burning, fed with the oil of consecration, loving-kindness, patience, and prayer. He who keeps himself busy exercising these virtues in his daily living surely has plenty of employment, and he will be recompensed by the Father, "who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."

Because each one employs and directs his efforts and time it may be said that every man is his own employer and makes his own environment. The argument that one needs to change his place and environment in order to realize a greater degree of harmony is sometimes very subtle and persistent. If we listen to this argument we are in danger of believing that there is more of good in one place than in another. There is no legitimate limitation for any one of God's children. What we need is to change our thought about the situation: "Thought must be made better, and human life more fruitful, for the divine energy to move it onward and upward" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 343). Jesus said, "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." So let us rejoice in the purging, for thereby we know that we are bearing fruit.

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Wings of Truth and Love

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