Editorial June 17, 1933 Issue

Volition

Violet Ker Seymer

At every turn one is confronted with the question of volition, and Christian Science has done humanity an inestimable service in explaining the nature and source of true volition. Spirit, God, being the only creator, imparts to man the only will-power he can possess or that can possess him. "Spirituality," Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 156), "is the basis of all true thought and volition." Christian Science explains how both thought and volition may be brought under the control of divine Principle—that is, assuming that this is the individual's desire and intent.

Even human parents, through their longer experience and better acquaintance with self-discipline, can usually break for their children the chains of disobedience, due to self-will. Then shall not the infinite wisdom and mercy of God, divine Principle, when sought in love and humility, break the same fetters for the adult? To some, it may seem a task to become childlike, teachable. Pride and a mistaken sense of independence may argue that such a task is beneath one, and this self-deception may for a time cause one to yield to the tyranny of self-will. But the love of good, which Christian Science awakens and nourishes, destroys this most disguised enemy of mankind.

"And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" Whatever argues unwillingness to pursue the spiritual goal of unselfed service indicates mortal will and, if yielded to, beguiles its victim into illusion, disillusion, evanescent aims. Mortal self-will, being centered on temporal things, is in league with finity, fretful haste, selfishness. According to the teachings of Christian Science, unselfed service and obedience to the divine will do not entail withdrawal from legitimate activities and associations, nor from the right use of judgment and the framing of decisions in human affairs. On the contrary, the will of God is present to shape and exalt human desires and aims, and Christian Scientists bear witness to the good results of silencing human opinion and listening prayerfully for divine guidance on all questions. Since true thought and volition are, in their essence, spiritual, they free human thought from the fetters of disease, false appetites, reckless business ventures, and incompatible human contacts into which blind self-will is apt to lead one. God governs all that He creates in accord with His divine purpose.

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