EVERY alert individual desires to express activity. With many, activity is expressed in the work incident to the necessity of earning a living; with others, it is a matter of "self-expression." But self-expression, when it means the expression of the so-called human selfhood, does not bring lasting peace and satisfaction. For the moment it may seem to give a sense of success; but looking deeper, and through human experience, one sees that it is a bubble which bursts at the touch of spiritual reality. How, then, can one attain to truly successful activity?

Three factors—opportunity, ability, fruition—may be said to have an important part in right activity. And first, in the design or purpose of good, of God, is where one needs to be placed. We may ask in our anxiety, But how am I to find this place? This question is disposed of by the reassuring words of Christ Jesus, "I go to prepare a place for you." Could we want more than to know that the Christ prepares a place for us?

A student of Christian Science once applied for class instruction. The arguments arose that as she was applying at almost the last minute it was too late for her to be considered; that there were others more worthy than she, and more experienced; and that the number to be chosen was limited. But as she carefully studied Jesus' parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the answer came. The lord of the vineyard accepted those waiting to be called at the eleventh hour, as well as those applying at the first, and equally with the first. This unfoldment took away the fear of loss of opportunity through her having applied late. It took away the sense of fear that because of what the world called lack of experience there was no place for her; and it took away the false sense of unworthiness. It showed that to each one are offered opportunity and reward. Especially comforting was the thought that because of their right motive and right desire even those who had not had the opportunity to serve long were nevertheless blessed.

After these lessons were pondered and assimilated there appeared an even brighter light of unfoldment, through the realization of the truth in the message of Christ Jesus, as quoted above, "I go to prepare a place for you." The student accepted this angel-thought, and trusted God and His Christ to prepare her place wherever it might be. In a short time her application was accepted, and a joyous experience followed.

Sometimes a Christian Scientist, wishing to progress into more spiritual activity, may desire to enter upon the practice of Christian Science healing. The argument may come that no opportunity has appeared, or that an office is requisite and that the way does not seem to open to have one. The desire to serve is a right one, and the student can know that "the lord of the vineyard" will guide him to serve in the right way at the right time. Healing work is based on knowing the spiritual truth about any situation. That can be done anywhere and at all times. An office is not requisite for that. The opening for more spiritual work, whether it be in connection with the church or Christian Science practice, will come when thought is ripe for the activity.

Mrs. Eddy says, "Tireless Being, patient of man's procrastination, affords him fresh opportunities every hour; but if Science makes a more spiritual demand, bidding man go up higher, he is impatient perhaps, or doubts the feasibility of the demand" (Christian Healing, p. 19). As this indicates, we must be spiritually alert to discern the call to "go up higher." Then we must not be impatient or doubt. Hearing this spiritual demand we must quickly arise and go. But even before the call is clear, we can remember that every hour is holding "fresh opportunities" for us and for all, opportunities to rise to new levels of thought.

Sometimes we are afraid to expect or even to accept an opportunity for larger work. We feel we are worthy of or ready for only a smaller work. What we should desire is the right opportunity, the right place to serve. When we open our thought to God's guidance, this will lead us to a larger opportunity than we could plan for ourselves. "He brought me forth also into a large place." Common belief sometimes says that there are only one or two opportunities in a human lifetime. Christian Science says that God gives us new opportunities every hour. We can experience that!

When opportunity presents itself we immediately take stock of ourselves to see whether we have the ability to take advantage of it. Right here, unless it is detected and destroyed, error may seem to obstruct our demonstration. Fear of incompetency has perhaps lost for us many an opportunity. We must recognize all true ability as God-given, and claim it as our spiritual birthright. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 319), "No doubt must intervene between the promise and event."

In Christian Science we learn that God is Life; that we live by reflecting God, divine Life. If we are reflecting God, are we not reflecting infinite ability, since God is infinite Mind? God gives us "all sufficiency in all things," that we "may abound to every good work." Can we ask for more than this?

Individuals need to realize that they must grow; that they must constantly increase in the understanding and demonstration of ability. Like the plant unfolding in the warmth of the sunshine so does true ability grow and increase spontaneously in the sunlight of Truth.

Jesus' life was evidence of progressive spiritual ability and achievement. So it was with our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. The establishment of her church, through which to forward the Christian Science movement, was the result of her spiritual growth and reflected power.

Fruition is the direct and inevitable outcome of improved opportunity and demonstrated ability, the result of right activity. The word "fruition" implies attainment, realization, Realization of good is true fruition. Such qualities as honesty, courage, steadfastness, help to bring about fruition. The Bible tells us to measure character by its fruitage. In a parable Jesus showed that the unfruitful tree must be cut down. We can and must destroy in our thought all that does not bear good fruit.

As we recognize the continuous appearing of opportunity and the divine assurance of reflected ability, our human experience will be obedient to God's command to "be fruitful, and multiply" in good deeds; our lives will be consecrated to God and His divine design; and the fruits, the joys, of Spirit will be eternally ours.