Reaching Our True Selves

ETHEL COLWELL SMITH

Christian Science, the gospel which Christ Jesus taught and demonstrated, differentiates between the concept of man as material and the real man, who is spiritual, created by God, Spirit. This may seem transcendental to some, but when accepted and understood this truth can be proved in daily experience through the healing of adverse conditions. When we willingly turn away from matter and material so-called laws to grasp the understanding of Spirit and spiritual laws, we find the latter readily attainable. We discover that these laws of God are practicable, usable, and redemptive in every situation.

How are we to go about reaching this desirable state of consciousness? The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, asks the question (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 104), "How shall we reach our true selves?" and then gives a definite, concise answer: "Through Love." She explains, "The Principle of Christian Science is Love, and its idea represents Love." To gain some realization of this plain direction, "through Love," the average individual needs to grow into a wider sense of the meaning of love than he has entertained before: love, as understood in Christian Science, is much more than a mere human emotion which chooses a few friends to cherish and maintains an indifferent attitude toward the rest of humanity.

Justice and firmness are qualities of divine Love, as much as are gentleness and forbearance. On occasion, love in human affairs may need to be disciplinary; for a loving parent trains his children to be obedient, to correct selfishness and self-will, and to show courtesy and consideration for the rights of others. The student of Christian Science early learns to extend this resolute sense of Love's law to himself, for self-discipline is salutary. As one refuses to yield to the subtle suggestions of material judgment, he gains substantially on the spiritual side. Contemplation of matter and indulging its whims and demands occupy much of the average person's time, but when through demonstration one reaps the benefits of spiritual thinking, then God as Love and man as His image and likeness become tangible and real to him.

Because of previous education or environment, injustice or misfortune in childhood, some may feel they have no opportunity to reach their true selves "through Love." It is well at this point to remember that it is not because of another's love for us, but through our own reflection of divine Love, God, that we find our true selfhood—through the love which we express in thoughts of tolerance, compassion, tenderness; through the peace which we radiate to others. The individual grows and expands through the love which he fosters in his own heart.

Jesus, pointing to the flowers, said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." While it is true that "they toil not, neither do they spin," yet they fulfill their part in making the world beautiful by growing. None of us today may at a single bound reach the complete understanding of the perfect idea, which God creates and maintains, but day by day we may rise to a clearer perception of man's heritage from Love, which is his to dispense abundantly.

There is no place where the law of Life may not be expressed. A girl was once given an American Beauty rose with a long stem. She wore it on the train, kept it at home for a week; then it was thrown out. With the return of spring there on a refuse heap this stem was discovered—growing! With joy it was planted and tended, and now for many years it has added to the garden a wealth of beauty and fragrance. So let no one feel that he has been discarded or shut out—or shut in—from growth and blessedness. Right where he is, let him begin to advance spiritually; let him welcome the smallest opportunity to express goodness and mercy. For so shall we be enabled to see more distinctly our true being and reflect more of that Love through whose light and warmth we grow to perceive our perfect selfhood as a child of God.

"Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit," admonishes our Leader (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 128). To this end no change of location is necessary, for everyone may begin instantly to "watch, and pray daily." In this way he rises above whatever is undesirable or sordid, material conditions improve, and health and harmony become apparent as he claims his spiritual status.

As one continually expresses his true self "through Love," he is conscious of a more amiable attitude toward his fellow man. He finds that one cannot hoard love, but must extend it to all; for only in so doing does the full stature of perfection unfold to him. Wrong habits of thought go down before steadfast and joyous declarations of the truth, and we may pursue our upward way courageously and unafraid, for, as we read in Science and Health (p. 571), "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you."

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