Article August 27, 1932 Issue

Be Not Deceived of Shadows!

ETHEL COMBS LUENING

Every motorist is familiar with the appearance of a road barred by the shadows of trees or of telegraph poles. The road appears to be strewn with obstructions which, if accepted as real, would render it impassable. What is the motorist's attitude toward this seemingly rough stretch he must travel? He realizes the powerlessness of the shadow obstacles to disturb or delay his progress, and without anxiety or hesitation he keeps his course along the clear road. He does not think of turning back and choosing another way, or of tracing a sinuous course in and out among the shadow bars, in order to avoid them. He judges correctly. The evidence before the eyes seems positive; the bars appear to be there, yet the road is smooth, and his thought is on the fact, not on the falsity.

What should be our attitude toward difficulties that arise, and which may threaten a rough experience ahead? Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 264), "Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things;" and she adds, "We must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being." The road along which we are to travel is a perfect road. It was pointed out by the Master. The foundation is divine Principle, which changes not; but material sense would cast all manner of illusions across our path and bid us stumble over shadows. This goodly road is composed of every element and quality needful for true activity, harmony, health, happiness, and success. Christian Science teaches travelers along life's highway to distinguish between the true and the false, between what God has provided for man's good and what materiality presumes to superimpose upon the perfect creation.

At times there may seem to be shadow bars across the path, shadows of lack—lack of faith, inspiration, gratitude, obedience; or there may be doubt, confusion, self-will, fear, which the physical senses solemnly assure us are actual. Then we should let spiritual understanding penetrate the illusion appearing to obstruct the good road, that we may follow the clear line of underlying reality. The truth of being cannot be obscured from the vision of the earnest seeker who spontaneously denies the existence and power of everything which does not originate in God, and knows that where imperfection seems to be is the divine idea of God, reflecting ever active. all-powerful Mind.

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